Nasarawa State Government Issues 8,000+ C of Os in Seven Years, Commissioner Reveals

The Nasarawa State Government has confirmed the issuance of more than 8,000 Certificates of Occupancy (C of Os) over the past seven years. This move is aimed at mitigating land ownership disputes and enhancing property values across the state.

Mr. David Moyi, the Commissioner for Lands and Survey, shared this information on Monday in Lafia during a bi-monthly ministerial press briefing. The event, organized by the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism at the Nasarawa Broadcasting Service, saw attendance from journalists representing various media houses.

Moyi explained that since Governor Abdullahi Sule assumed office in 2019, his administration has placed significant emphasis on processing C of Os for individuals and businesses across all 13 local government areas. This prioritization, he noted, is crucial for accelerating development and tackling the rising incidents of land grabbing reported in certain parts of the state.

The Commissioner encouraged landowners to apply for their C of Os, assuring them that the process typically concludes within one to two months, provided all statutory fees are settled. He stated, “Since Governor Abdullahi Sule assumed office, he has signed over 8,000 C of Os. If you look at it, you will realise that he has signed more than 1,000 Certificates of Occupancy every year, which is no small achievement.”

Moyi further clarified, “In one to two months, you can get your C of O, while a Right of Occupancy can be processed within two weeks. However, applicants must play their part because some people initiate the process but fail to pay the required fees due to financial constraints. That may prolong the process. But ordinarily, we are very proactive. The ministry is not sleeping; my directors are up and doing. I have three technical directors: the Director of Lands, the Surveyor-General and the Director of Town Planning. They are always available. Once documents get to them, they attend to them promptly. Sometimes, delays are simply due to the applicants’ failure to do the needful.”

Addressing the issue of land grabbing, Moyi disclosed that the state government is actively exploring the possibility of enacting an anti-land grabbing law in collaboration with the Attorney General. He noted, “On the issue of land grabbing, I have been discussing with the Attorney General the possibility of introducing an anti-land grabbing law in the state so that offenders can be prosecuted directly. For now, many people come to my office with petitions against one another. What I usually do is invite the parties involved and examine the documents available before taking any decision.”

Also speaking at the briefing, Dr. Ibrahim Tanko, the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, highlighted that his ministry has established various platforms, including these briefings, to educate the public on the current administration's policies, programmes, and projects. He urged residents to register their land holdings to bolster the government’s efforts in combating land grabbing and resolving ownership disputes. Tanko also emphasized the critical need for continuous public awareness campaigns, particularly in rural communities, to correct misinformation and misconceptions regarding land administration.