FG Issues Ultimatun to Defaulters on Ground Rent Payment
* Threatens revocation of CofOs
* Ratifies new rates regime for crops, economic trees compensation
* Land Revenue vital to delivery of Renewed Hope Agenda - Dangiwa
The Federal Government has given a 60-day notice to owners of it's Certificate of Occupancy (CofO) to comply with the payment of ground rent as well as statutory charges or risk having their CofOs revoked.
Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa sounded this warning in a keynote address at the 29th Conference of Directors of Lands in the Federal and States' Ministries, Departments and Agencies, Wednesday, October 23rd, 2024
The theme for the 29th conference is “Equitable Land Stewardship: Challenges of Land Administration and it's Impact on Climate Change and Community Rights"
The Minister decried the failure of owners of titled properties to pay ground rent and other statutory charges to the Ministry for several years now, saying that such acts hampers the ability of the government to maximize the revenue earning potential of its landed assets.
“This non-compliance has resulted in the loss of trillions of naira in revenue to the Federal Government. Under the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed, Tinubu, this cannot be tolerated as this revenue is much needed to deliver the Renewed Hope Agenda to Nigerians”, he added.
In addition, Dangiwa also warned that the refusal of some residents association of Federal Government landed properties to allow staff of the Ministry access to their various estates for billing purposes and enforcement of non-payments as outlined in their respective C of Os, would attract appropriate penalties and sanctions going further.
While admitting that the level of land administration was still in a state of emergency with issues such as the obsolete Land Use Act of 1978, lengthy, expensive, and complicated land titling and registration processes, limited access to land information, Conflicting land laws and policies, lack of formal land titles, among others, Dangiwa stated that Ministry has prioritized land governance issues and taken significant steps to make a difference.
Accordingly, the minister outlined some of the steps such as the establishment of a new regime of revised rates for crops and economic trees that is fair, equitable, and provides adequate compensation to persons affected by government projects, formulation of Land Reforms Task Team to critically review, audit, and develop approaches to operationalize the Land Use Act.
In addition to this, he revealed that the Land Reform task force has prepared a preliminary report that highlights the need for the establishment of a National Land Commission as the launch point for implementing the Land Use Act and ensuring the synchronization of state land registries.
Other steps taken are the upscaling of the Electronic Certificate of Occupancy (e-C of O) and Land Titling System that incorporates a web-based Advanced Workflow System (WNABS) and an Electronic Documentation Management System (EDMS) for all federal government-owned lands in the 36 states of the country;
To this effect, the Minister gladly announced an award of ‘Best MDA in Innovative Technology’ for 2024 given to the Ministry by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms, in recognition of the Ministry’s efforts to leverage technology for improved land management.
Accordingly, he highlighted the Ministry’s partnership with the World Bank to implement the Land and Urban Development component of the Nigeria-Urban Livability and Mobility Programme which aims to enhance the design and implementation of development policies and programs in selected Nigerian cities, as well as foster greater livability, competitiveness, and resilience.
In contribution to this partnership, Arc. Dangiwa noted the Ministry’s effort by organizing a national workshop on ‘Nigeria Livable Cities’ which brought together representatives from the national government and state commissioners of housing, land, and urban development from ten selected cities: Lagos, Kano, Ibadan, Rivers, Edo, Anambra, Abia, Kaduna, Plateau, and Borno.
The Minister also reiterated an upcoming groundbreaking partnership with the World Bank to address over 90% of unregistered land in the country with an estimated $300 billion in dead capital.
He stated some of the achievements which which the partnership aims at to include registration, documentation and titling of all land parcels within five years, increasing the formalization of land transactions, development and launch a National Digital Land Information System (NDLIS); among others.
Dangiwa further charged the Directors of Land in various States as well as Heads of Housing Development Institutions, and regulatory bodies to play their respective roles in order to implement solutions to the issues hampering effective land administration and governance.
Earlier in his Address, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi expressed excitement in the theme of the Conference, in the sense that as it speaks to some of the most pressing issues of land administration, climate change, and the protection of community rights, facing the Nation, the continent and the world at large.
While noting that Land is a fundamental resource for development and provides the basis for Agriculture, Housing, industry and Infrastructures, He emphasized on the need for collaboration between Federal and State Agencies, Local Communities and International Partners, in order to design land administration frameworks that will promote equity, sustainability and resilience, as well as promote economic growth and environmental sustainability.
Ogunbiyi conveyed his confidence that the insights shared at the conference would contribute to the development of robust policies that advance equitable land stewardship across Nigeria and the African continent.
Also in his welcome address, the Director of the Department of Lands and Housing Development, Mr. Collin’s Alabi Esv, noted that stewardship of land, which is one of most precious resources, required careful management and equitable distribution.
“As we face rising pressures from urban expansion, population growth, and the effects of climate change, it becomes crucial that land administration processes are efficient, transparent, and inclusive”, he stated.
He disclosed that discussions at the conference would explore ways to balance the pressures from urban expansion, population growth, and the effects of climate change.
Mr. Alabi further encouraged the participants to actively engage in the sessions, share their experiences, and collaborate towards the development of solutions that will shape the future of Land Administration for generations to come.
