Problems of Land Use Act in Nigeria
You might have heard about land scam agents, professional scammers and many other land grabbing personalities in Nigeria. These people provide a real challenge to the use of the legitimate system of Nigeria. Therefore, if you want to know how they do their business, then you need to look into the problems of Land Use Act in Nigeria in details!
What is Land Use Planning act?
It`s usually known as the Land Use Act of 1978 or the Land Use Decree. The President Olusegun Obasanjo is the main person who is responsible for the implementing the act into the body of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.It was provided during the military regime in Nigeria. After that, Shagari –Led Federal Government handled it.
What are the key features of the National Land Use Act today?
- It affects the structural changes in the land tenure system;
- It should have provided the fast economic growth;
- It should have provided the economic inequality of lands rising values;
- It should have made the lands available and cheap.
Therefore, these key features couldn`t become a reality as there were the following problems with the Land Use Act 1978:
- The lack of uniformity for the laws which can help to govern the ownership of the lands;
- The uncontrolled speculation over urban lands;
- The issue of accessing lands by all Nigerians equally;
What is the implication of Land Use Act?
The implication of this act bothers only the landowners. The landowners should acquire a Certificate of Occupancy. Without this certificate, you can be named a legal owner of the land. Therefore, all the rights that you have for this land is a lease. What does it mean for you? It means that the government may take your land without any compensation.
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The power to do such procedures are hidden in the Land Use Act of 1978. Therefore, the Governor is fully responsible for the allocation of land for the individual property to the agricultural or urban area. Therefore, the state Governors may have the unlimited power to the land use.
Moreover, the power to control and manage the land was taken from the traditional families and chiefs in the Southern regions of Nigeria.
The main controversies and problems of the act
The Land Use Act remains as the most controversial legislation act in Nigeria. A lot of stakeholders still describe this act as the one that cripples the economy of the entire nation. A lot of experts may suggest that the act should be overviewed! Moreover, this act should be removed from the Constitution.
If this act stays within the measures of the constitution and without any reviewing, then Nigerians should expect no growth in terms of the real estate industry. How can you create a strong and stable growth of anything if the land is under the control of the state governors?
The Constitutional requirements are the main reason why this act failed. It`s necessary to amend the act to change the situation for the better. The previous presidents, like Good Luck Jonathan and Umaru Musa tried to make some changes to the act.
Therefore, the main problems of Land Use Act in Nigeria remains the same – land becomes super expensive. In the past, you could just purchase a piece of land from a community or individual and register it in the Land Registry. Therefore, you could get the bankable document almost in no time for the adequate price.
For today, the process is changed. If you want a piece of land, you will need to apply for the local government official and pay the fee for the land. After that, you will get the plan with unused lands on the map and get your piece. When you get your piece of the land, you acquire the Certificate of Occupancy. That`s how you become a rightful owner of the lands!
The second most painful problem in the Land Use Act is the delay in the land acquisition. Individual and corporate bodies struggle from the bad times of the acquisition of the land. It`s extremely difficult for them to get their lands. Moreover, the average Nigerians also suffer from the delay of lands use.
The third most problematic question for the Land Use Act is a lot of loopholes. These loopholes are used for a lot of people who understand the legislative principles. Therefore, you can see a lot of precedents where people have the same piece of land bought from the same scam agency.
Experts believe that with the changes in the Land Use Act, the land`s market can become more available for all people in the country. Therefore, it may become a new rise in the property market in Nigeria!
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Source: Legit.ng
