The Commissioner for Lands, Cross River State, Hon. Dr. Erasmus Ekpang, has called for stronger collaboration, transparency and coordination among the various agencies and professional clusters responsible for land administration and development in the state.
Ekpang made the call during a meeting with heads of the Land Cluster, convened to foster greater understanding of the mandates of the various agencies and develop a more coordinated approach to land management in Cross River State.
The meeting brought together representatives of Summit Hills, the Lands Use Allocation Committee (LUAC), the Office of the Surveyor General, the Cross River Geographic Information Agency (CRGIA), the Cross River State Property Development and Investment Limited (CROSPIL), Town Planning, Development Control Task Force and the Ministry of Housing.
The Commissioner stressed the need for all the clusters to work together as a family, noting that effective land administration requires collaboration rather than isolated operations.
He declared that undocumented land transactions must end immediately, while urging stakeholders to support policies and programmes designed to use land administration as a catalyst for development.
Ekpang also emphasised the need for government facilities and vehicles to be used strictly for official purposes, urging officers and agencies to maintain professionalism and accountability in the discharge of their responsibilities.
The meeting also highlighted the importance of technology in modern land administration. The Director-General of the Cross River Geographic Information Agency, William Archibong, said the agency was committed to using Geographic Information System (GIS) technology to improve land administration, support the various land clusters and facilitate the processing of Certificates of Occupancy.
Archibong said greater cooperation among the stakeholders could make it possible to process Certificates of Occupancy within 60 days or less, stressing that achieving the target would require the cooperation of everyone within the land administration chain.
The Surveyor General, Surv. P. E. Bassey, explained that his office plays a critical role in identifying areas suitable for acquisition and providing geospatial data for effective planning and development. He also highlighted the importance of collaboration in territorial planning and conflict management.
The Town Planning Department, represented by Tph. (Mrs.) Evelyn, noted its responsibility for ensuring orderly development, designing layouts, assessing development proposals and enforcing compliance with planning regulations.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Development Control Task Force, Akiba Ekpenyong, explained the role of the task force in enforcing building and development regulations, including development approvals and other planning requirements.
The Commissioner directed that government layouts must be developed through the collective involvement of the relevant land clusters to ensure proper planning and coordination.
He also charged the Development Control Task Force to carry out its enforcement responsibilities with a human face, stressing that enforcement should follow due process and should not translate into touting and arbitrary demolition of properties.
The meeting further resolved that the various land clusters should maintain regular communication with the Ministry and keep one another informed on matters affecting land administration and development.
Ekpang said the meeting was an important step towards building a more coordinated, disciplined and transparent land management system in Cross River State.
He appreciated the cluster heads for their contributions and called for sustained collaboration and synergy among all stakeholders to deliver a more efficient land administration system capable of supporting investment, housing and sustainable development across the state.
IN ATTENDANCE:
Oku E. Ita — Representing Summit Hills
Surveyor Effiom Ekpenyong — Secretary, Lands Use Allocation Committee (LUAC)
Surv. P. E. Bassey — Surveyor General
William Archibong — Director-General, CRGIA
Estate Surv. Eno — CROSPIL
Tph. (Mrs.) Evelyn — Rep. Town Planning, Ministry of Lands
Mr Akiba Ekpenyong Akiba — Chairman, Development Control Task Force
Hon. Dr. Beatrice Igwe — Commissioner for Housing.
E-Signed:
Ekpang’s Media
