The verbal outbursts between the Hon Minister of Federal Capital Territory and a junior Military officer on a disputed land havebdominated the media space. It is rather unfortunate, and this has resulted in apportionment o nlames as to who was right and wrong.
From my appraisal, the incident has adverted attention to the inherent defects in our Land Administration at all levels of governance from Federal to Local Governments.
The Land Use decree now amended law is helpless in checking the conflict. It has rather fuelled the massive corruption surrounding the Land Administration.
For ease of discussion all Lands are vested in the Governor who is the Chief Executive of a State. The interpretation is that the Federal Government does not own land within any geographical boundary of any defined State except Federal Territory. The case of Federal Territory is even more interesting but wrongly interpreted. The FCT land is not vested in the Minister but the President of the Country. This is a sad truth that must be swallowed. The Hon Minister of FCT is only performing a delegated job, and it is proper that any operation or action on land administration must be under the directive of Mr. President.
I took it as a joke when Mr President said at a time he would apply to Hon.Minister for a land. The only authority to revoke any land in the FCT is Mr. President in the interest of public and security. For instance, if I have a building that leans or towers on State House, Mr. President can use an instrument to revoke the land without a recourse to Hon Minister of Federal Capital Territory.
Now, to the issue in discourse, Hon.Minister.Wike’s action as observed gave me concerns. He had no business going out with task force and absolutely no reason, except there is personal interest beyond official commitment.
He was subjected to this embarrassment by his aides who failed to advise him that it wasn’t his direct job to be there physically but a delegated job.
Land Administration is not his main function but a delegated function. This, in my opinion, clearly indicates that the Land Administration in Federal Capital Territory is weak; the practice is archaic and has possibly given way to corruption.
An urgent reform is necessary to remove ambiguity in land titles, poor boundary demarcation, overlapping of titles, and insecure tenure. The latter is particularly important because it is the source of conflict and corruption.
If a land is fairly and justifiably allocated to an individual, what is it that has changed that will make the allottee suffer revocation? If for any reason he or she is resource constraint, is it not imperative to develop a new approach instead of allottee trading the paper.
There should be no reason also to start looking for third or fourth parties to buy land if if I have the means to commence the development.
The concept of “Use or lose” is archaic. I will advocate for the “Surrender and Reapply” system in which a title holder for a reason or inability to develop within a time frame returns the title and is guaranteed a replacement whenever he applies. It is a novel idea that could check all evils and malfeasance in land administration. Land undoubtedly is a valuable asset, but it shouldn’t be used as an instrument of conflicts, extortion, political victimisation; and, above all, corrupt practices.
■ Engr Akeju Olagbaju is a retired Federal Director of Rural Development Technical and Programme Advisor.
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