From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja
As conflicts between the state and the federal governments intensifies, Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola has approved a review of the Land Use Act of 1976.
The review would delineate clearly the powers of the federal government and the state as well as eliminate areas of conflicts.
Addressing the 27th Conference of Directors of Land in Federal and State Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), the minister said that the conference would deliberate and share experiences on critical matters relating to land management with a view to improving individual professional skills and knowledge and to make recommendations for optimal management and administration of land in the country.
According to him, this year’s theme: “The Land Use Act and Land Management Responsibilities of the Federating Units” is necessary in view of the erroneous and misleading interpretation of land use act and conflicting roles in administering land by various tiers of governments.
answering questions from newsmen, the Director, Lands and Housing Department, Mr Ityoachimin Godwin flayed state governments who move into Federal Government’s land without recourse. This, he said, is frustrating the federal government’s development projects in such states.
“The powers of the state governments under the federal government is trusteeship. So, trusteeship does not mean ownership.
“Taking over Federal Government’s land without due process leads to frustration of government’s projects” he said.
But the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works and Housing, Mr Bashir Nura Alkali reminded the participants that their decisions would form the policy direction of the government as regards land use.