The Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers has expressed concern about the complicated procedure involved in acquiring a Certificate of Occupancy or Governor’s consent in Nigeria, as it has facilitated the practice of land grabbing, racketeering, and other dubious activities that have impacted the sector.
According to the President of the institute, Johnbull Amayaevbo, the Act needs to be repealed and removed from the Constitution to facilitate a speedy review, as it has deterred private investors’ developmental efforts.
Speaking at the institute’s maiden award ceremony in Abuja, Johnbull Amayaevbo observed that despite Nigeria’s critical challenge in the housing sector, including provision, delivery, infrastructure, social service, and public service challenges, they remain surmountable.
In recent years, land grabbing, illegal development, and online housing scams have been on the rise in the Federal Capital Territory , as reported by The Punch.
This development has led to concerned stakeholders calling on the FCT Minister to declare a state of emergency on land racketeering.
In the light of these issues, President Johnbull Amayaevbo stated that the Land Use Act of 1978 needs to be reviewed, as the factors and circumstances that warranted its enactment 45 years ago have changed. He added that the Act has prevented private investors’ developmental efforts.
To address this issue, Johnbull Amayaevbo suggested, “We would continue to be vocal in our call for the review of the Land Use Act, which clearly inhibits housing provision. As a first step to achieving this, we are proposing that the Act should be removed from the Constitution to allow for a speedy review.
“One of the areas of concern is the cumbersome procedure in obtaining a Certificate of Occupancy or Governor’s Consent, a necessary approval before exercising one’s statutory right of occupancy on the land. This has not only hampered developmental efforts by private investors but has given room for sharp and unscrupulous practices such as land grabbing, racketeering and housing scams.”
