ENUGU – The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim, on Tuesday urged the South-East states to adopt Systematic Land Titling and Registration (SLTR) approach to reduce land crisis and litigations.
Anyim made the call in Enugu at the South-East Zonal Stakeholders Workshop on land reform organised by the Presidential Technical Committee on Land Reform.
He said that only about three per cent of the land in Nigeria, out of approximately 9,233,733 square metres had been duly documented, registered and titled.
The SGF, who was represented by Sen. Ben-Collins Ndu, said that Nigeria had been rated poor in land governance due to non-registration of land.
According to him, land registration and titling will encourage accurate housing census and provide data for effective planning.
“The quest for land has often sparked crisis, international wars and serious loss of lives and property.
“Land ownership guarantees political stability and national security.
“Land registration and titling will enable holders to enjoy the benefits inherent in their land,’’ Anyim said.
In his message, Gov. Sullivan Chime of Enugu State, said the state government had digitised land system and administration, to eradicate crisis in the state.
Chime, who was represented by the state’s Commissioner for Lands and Urban Development, Dr Chukwuemeka Ujam, advised residents to desist from involving touts in their land dealings.
“I have always advised citizens to avoid relating with touts during land purchasing. I always operate open door policy in handling land matters.
“If you decide to circumvent a process and involve touts in your land dealings, you will suffer the consequences.
“We have an accurate search and digitised system,’’ he said. [eap_ad_1] In her address, the Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mrs Akon Eyakenyi, said the workshop would strengthen the successes recorded in the land reform agenda.
The minister, represented by a Director of Lands in the ministry, Mrs Margaret Okolo-Ebube, said the workshop would also facilitate the understanding and benefits associated with land ownership.
Also, the Chairman of the Committee, Prof. Peter Adeniyi, said the aim of the workshop was to create awareness on Systematic Land Titling and Registration, discuss the advantages and encourage states to embrace it.
He said land governance in Nigeria was weak, adding that it required transparent, participatory and affordable process for the issuance of Certificate of Occupancy to land owners without discrimination.
The representatives of Govs Martin Elechi of Ebonyi, Willie Obiano of Anambra and Rochas Okorocha of Imo states, promised to adopt the SLTR approach in land administration, to encourage adequate land reform process in their states.
The event attracted estate surveyors, town planners and legal practitioners as well as non-governmental and community-based organisations. (NAN)
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