Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed reports suggesting that Channels Television purchased land in Abuja, insisting that the FCT Administration does not sell land but only allocates it under established procedures.
Wike made the clarification while reacting to claims that the media organisation had paid for land in the capital territory, an allegation that has sparked public debate over land administration practices in Abuja.
According to the minister, what Channels Television paid for was not the cost of land, but administrative charges linked to the processing of its Certificate of Occupancy (CofO).
“The money paid was to process their CofO, which is done regularly. Therefore, the land was allocated, not bought,” Wike said.
He explained that land allocation in the FCT follows standard government procedures and should not be misrepresented as commercial sales.
Wike further stressed that media organisations, like other corporate entities, operate as businesses and are expected to generate revenue to sustain their operations.
“Media organisations are not set up for charity; they are for business. That is why they do adverts and collect money,” he said.
He added that media houses earn income through advertising, sponsored content, live coverage, and commercial news services, all of which support their staffing and operational costs.
The minister questioned why land allocation to media organisations should be controversial, arguing that similar allocations are made to other private and institutional entities.SEO Elements
