Mr. Femi Oyedele , an estate surveyor and valuer, speaks on the dangers of land grabbing to the real estate sector, government, investors and the environment. He also suggested some solutions in this Interview with DAYO AYEYEMI.
What can you say about the issue of land grabbing in Lagos State?
The issue of land grabbing in Lagos State is a serious challenge to real estate development that the government has tried to curb by making an anti-land grabbing law and Lagos State Special Task Force on Land Grabbing.
The criminal law of Lagos State, in Section 281, included land as assets that can be stolen despite that it is immobile, and sections 52 and 53 of the same law prescribed jail term of two years for any person who forcibly enters or takes possession of land in a manner likely to cause breach of the peace against another. There is also Anti-land grabbing tribunal at Alausa, Lagos State, which are ready to help victims of land grabbing.
However, Lagos State Government is trying everything possible to make sure that Lagos State property investment climate is a friendly one.
Are you aware that some of the land grabbers do go to court to secure judgement before carrying out their activities?
Yes, these criminals are so desperate that they go to court to get false judgement and also use judgement of another land to grab people’s land, by threatening and intimidating their victims. Many Nigerians have lost their lives and investments to this menace which was very rampant in the past because land is gold in Lagos State with great opportunity, scarce land due to the small size of Lagos.
Why is land grabbing so rampant?
Land grabbing is so rampant in urban society, especially Lagos state, because of the premium in urban land and lack of proper statutory governance. Government is so docile that 80 percent of houses don’t have approved building plans. This means that there is no rule of law and that people are building with impunity. Government of Lagos supposed to have a wholesale master plan earmarking different uses and future development. Corruption is also a bane of incessant land grabbing in Lagos.
By now, all expanse of land in Lagos State without Certificate of Occupancy should dwell in Lagos State. Lagos State government doesn’t have enough site and services schemes to cope with the demand of the residents for land. We should always remember that land is a basic need of man as it is a means of wealth creation, necessary for food production and shelter development.
Government should do a proper layout of Lagos State and be the only authority selling untitled land in Lagos State through allocation. The fact remains that, land grabbers don’t go to government estates and layout to grab land as they do to non-government lands.
What are the dangers of land grabbing if government fails to act?
The dangers of land grabbing to government, community and real estate development are that it is inimical to real estate investment. People are averse to real estate investment because they don’t want to be victim of land grabbing. Since one of the functions of governments is security of lives and properties, it shows there is no government in any area where land grabbers are having a field day. Government can organise land transaction better than the use of force to grab land maiming and killing people.
What are the solutions to this menace?
The solution is for victims of land grabbing to contact estate surveyors and valuers and lawyers whenever they are approached by land grabbers. Even where they are illegal squatters, they have the right to be given notice to quit. And where the original owners of the land have slept on their rights, the squatters have the land according to the law of Lagos State. So, victims should always contacts their estate surveyors and valuers for advice.
There should be sensitization of people not to buy land from indigene but from government. Government is trying but we can do more to ease land transactions and have seamless process in Lagos State. Nobody should be able to build on a land in Lagos without title. A lot of resources like money, time, lives of residents and building materials are being wasted due to land grabbing
Property owners should always contact an estate surveyor and valuer who will advise them on how to procure legitimate land that is free from land grabbing. Lagos State government should stop people’s selling Lagos land. Any land without title in Lagos should not be approved for building. The process of building construction in Lagos is faulty. We can do better.
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