By Dennis Udo-Udoma, Uyo
The Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, Akwa Ibom State branch has called on the state government to develop an effective land acquisition framework to accommodate needs of the people without compromising future generations.
Chairman of NIESV in Akwa Ibom, ESV (Pst) Obot Akpan made the call during the just concluded Mandatory Continuing Professional Development (MCPD) seminar in Uyo at the weekend.
Akpan observed that, it was common place to see development projects made on defective land acquisition procedures, weak compensation regimes and inappropriate entitlement delivery mechanism with the potentiality of causing conflict in host communities.
He stated, there was a strong need to develop effective framework to take care of prevailing needs of the citizenry without rancour.
Keynote speaker, Senator Effiong Bob who spoke on “Effective Land Acquisition for Sustainable Development in Akwa Ibom State” traced the compulsory land acquisition and compensation in Akwa Ibom from 2007 as a ministerial responsibility through the Land Use Act, Cap 202, LFN saying, the compulsory acquisition of land is the sole responsibility of the chief land officer of the State (Director of Lands) in the Ministry of Lands without any encombrances.
“The functions of acquisition of lands, assessment and payment of compensation were carried out by the ministry of lands and town planning up to 2005 until recently, when subsequent government begin to usurp the the functions of appropriate organ without cognisance to the Ministry of Lands which is imbued with the statutory responsibility of complying with the land Use Act established by law.
Senator Bob noted that, in order to bring sanity into land acquisition and compensation matters, there would be need for policy guidelines on land acquisition and compensation.
Other speakers at the seminar suggested that, for compulsory land acquisition to be achievable, there must be sanity amongst practitioners in the real estate business by maintaining the ethics and regulations guiding the profession.
ESV. Celestine Udia in his presentation titled, “Ethics Guiding the Estate Surveyor and Valuer” in valuing special purpose properties for compensation suggested that, a surveyor and Valuer should be up to date with the legislations guiding the practice, as unethical behavior can create tension between the government and public.
Also, Dr. Edem Esara who spoke on the Resettlement Action Plan during compulsory acquisition of properties by government stated that, where government cannot avoid involuntary settlement, compensation should be carried out in a manner that those resettled are better off.
Akwa Ibom Deputy Governor, Akan Eyakenyi, National President of the Institute, ESV. John Ill Amayaevbo amongst others presented goodwill messages at the occasion.