Fashola calls for collaboration between FG, states on land administration
By Mashe Umaru Gwamna
Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, said there is a need for collaboration between federal and state governments on Land Administration and management in Nigeria.
He made the call yesterday at the opening ceremony of the 27th Conference of Directors of Lands in the Federal, States, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) holding from 12th -13th October2022, in Abuja.
The 27th conference is themed; “The Land Use Act and Land Management Responsibilities of the Federating Units”.
Fashola, represented by Director of Lands and Housing Development, FMWH, Godwin Ityoachimin, said ”It is pertinent to note that there has been conflicts in the administration and management of these lands between the Federal and State Government, hence need for collaboration in Land Administration in a multi-level administrative system that we have in Nigeria”.
He urged directors of Lands at both Federal, State levels to proffer solutions to issues hindering land administration and management nationwide.
He expected the erroneous interpretation of the land use act and conflicting roles in administering land by various tiers of government the conference was expected to achieve a mutual intergovernmental relationship.
“It presents a valuable opportunity to critically examine the powers of each tier of government in land administration in respect of land acquisition, allocation and landed property management in Nigeria.
“All human endeavor and development efforts are hinged on land and land resources. This makes land a very sensitive and emotive issue.
The Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, representing the Federal Government, being one of the Federating units has the responsibility of providing housing for Nigerians.
He therefore tasked the participants to critically examine issues such as land acquisition for government projects, prompt payment of compensation to dispossessed owners.
Other issues he enumerated are additional cost to government for delayed compensation payments, trespass and encroachment of Federal Government land, unplanned development of land and maximisation of land resources.
The minister expressed optimism that the conference would come out with a meaningful and workable solution to the problems confronting land administration and management at the various tiers of government.
Speaking in his opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary, FMWH, Bashir Alkali tasked the participants to put the interest and needs of Nigerians in focus while performing their duties.
“Knowing that land is central to overall existence of our nation, critically examine the land administration/management issues under the Land Use Act and come up with solutions to eliminating areas of conflict among the operators.
Alkali, represented by Uzo Chukwuwike, said
“The outcome of your deliberations will have tremendous effect on the policy direction and reforms in the land and housing sector.”
Meanwhile, Director, Lands and Housing Development, FMWH, Godwin Ityoachimin, said the conference was to address the challenges in the land use act.
He said “the Land Use Act is the grundnorm for the administration and control of land in Nigeria and the law, which has been in existence since 1978 has not been reviewed.
“A law is as good as the people that implement it. So it has been very challenging relating with the tiers of government in the past, the state governors have been ascribed so many powers”.
