Presidential Committee, Minister Meet On Land Reforms

Minister of housing and urban development, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, has met with members of the Presidential Technical Committee on Land Reforms (PTCLR) on how to improve the efficiency of land administration process, its availability, accessibility as well as easy transferability and convertibility.

A press statement signed by the special assistant to the minister on media, Mr Mark Chieshe, indicated that Dangiwa received comprehensive recommendations and blueprints on land administration in the country from the visiting members of the PTCLR, chaired by Prof Peter O. Adeniyi.

He promised that the ministry will review and incorporate essential aspects of their work into its reform strategy for implementation.

While assuring them of the ministry’s determination to dismantle barriers hindering the growth of the housing sector and national development, notably the ineffective land administration system in the country, Dangiwa revealed that an Internal Ministerial Committee has been established to meticulously study the Committee’s submissions. He said a subsequent meeting with the PTCLR is scheduled within the next two weeks.

He appreciated the meeting with the PTCLR and said that it signals a step in the right direction for the ministry. He added that it will assist in prioritizing land reforms to streamline land administration, and make the process quicker and less costly for Nigerians

“I commended the team for the good work despite challenges and assured Prof. Adeniyi and other members that His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has the political will to drive through their recommendations. As a ministry, we will review and incorporate relevant aspects of their inputs into our land reform strategy towards implementing them for the good of the country.

I have set up an Internal Ministerial Committee to study the Committee’s submissions and we will be meeting with them in the next two weeks,” he said.

Earlier in his presentation, Prof Adeniyi noted the immense progress made by the committee over the years, including the production of a Draft Land Use Act, as well as Draft Regulations to cater to all aspects of the sector.

“The invitation hit me like a patient who receives, at the point of death, a life-saving oxygen. It is a truly renewed hope for the realization of the PTCLR Slogan – Reform Land, Transform Nigeria”. We have over time tried to get the attention of critical stakeholders, government and policy leaders in the past to see that these regulations get the necessary backing, but unfortunately, nothing has come out of it,” he noted.

“So, you can imagine our excitement when we got the invitation from the honourable minister. We’ve not had such an opportunity before. Knowing the minister and all that he did as managing director of FMBN, I know that he has great passion for this country and has the will to pursue any policy he puts his mind to. This is an opportunity for us to finally get the much-needed land reforms for the development of our country,” he said.