Land Use Act promoting housing scam, racketeering – NIESV

The Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, says the cumbersome procedure in obtaining a Certificate of Occupancy or governors consent has aided land grabbing, racketeering, and other unscrupulous activities affecting the sector.

The President of the institute, Johnbull Amayaevbo, who made the revelation at the maiden award ceremony of the institution held recently in Abuja, called for the repeal of the act and its removal from the constitution to allow for a speedy review.

In his remark, he noted that housing was still a critical challenge in Nigeria and its provision, delivery, infrastructure, Social service provision and public service challenges were surmountable.

The PUNCH reports that land grabbing, illegal development, and online housing scam have been on the rise in the FCT, deepening calls by concerned stakeholders on the FCT Minister to declare a state of emergency on land racketeering.

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According to the president, the circumstances and factors that justify the enactment of the Land Use Act of 1978 have changed over the last 45 years, so its review is necessary for light of the current situation.

He added that the act had hampered developmental efforts by private investors.

He said, “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.

“In the dynamic and rapidly changing world, we live in, the factors and circumstances which warranted the enactment of the Land Use Act of 1978 about 45 years have changed, hence the need for its review in line with present realities.

“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.”