Directors of Lands in the Federal and State Ministries, Agencies and Departments in Nigeria are seeking modalities for efficient land administration and management in the country
The Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Mr Bashir Nura Alkali, during the 27th Conference of Directors held in Abuja, the nation’s capital explained that the conference afford the stakeholders the opportunity to eliminate areas of conflict among the operators at the three tiers of the federation.
“As you interrogate the sub-themes for the next two days, l urge you to critically examine the land administration/management issues comprised under the Land Use Act with a view to coming up with solutions particularly aimed at eliminating areas of conflict among the operators at the three tiers of the federation,” Alkali said.
The Director and Head of Department, Lands and Housing Development Department in the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Estate Surveyor Godwin Ityoachimin, emphasised that the conference would address the limitations of each tier of government and establish boundaries in relation to the Land Use Act.
He noted that delegates would discuss and identify the responsibilities of both the Federal and State Governments as enshrined in the law.
Mr Ityoachimin also pointed out that the federal government had consistently been faced with challenges relating to the other tiers of government on issues bothering land administration, acquisition and compensation because the state government believes that the land in the state is owned by it, noting that state governors would move into the properties owned by the federal government and pulled them down without due process.
He further argued that the impression of governors owning the land was a misconception as well as misleading, pointing out that the correct intent of the Land Use Act is that governors are trustees under the Act and not owners.
He explained that Section 49(2) of the Land Use Act requirement is that the use of land by the federal government is dictated by public interest.
The Director also said that Federal Government as a Corporate entity has the right to own and manage properties.
He stressed that if the limitations of each tier, from the Federal to the Local Governments are clearly identified and stated, the challenges the Federal Government go through would be eliminated.
“Our thinking is that we shall be able to deliberate on these limitations and work within the time frame of the limit permitted by the Law, a lot of challenges government go through particularly at the states level will be eliminated. It will enhance the process and relationship among the tiers of government, and the ultimate delivery of the impact and dividends of democracy.”
The Chairman Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria, Gersh Henshaw, suggested that it would be important to establish the Land Use and Allocation Committee in the states and the Land Advisory Allocation Committees at the Local Governments level, noting that their findings and resolutions would guide the state governors in making decisions on land administration, acquisition and compensation.
This year’s conference is themed; “The Land Use Act on Land Management, Responsibilities of the Federating Units.”
PIAK
