Niger Govt revokes undeveloped land allocations, tightens land administration

The Niger State Government has unveiled fresh measures to curb land grabbing, resolve lingering land disputes and reclaim undeveloped public land, while security agencies announced the establishment of Farmers-Herders Peace Committees across the state’s 25 local government areas to prevent violent clashes.

The Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Ahmad Bello Agwara, disclosed this during the maiden quarterly media briefing organised by the Niger State Ministry of Information and Strategy in Minna.

Agwara said the government has stopped local government councils from issuing Rights of Occupancy in designated urban areas as part of efforts to end illegal land acquisition and sanitise land administration.

He also revealed that the government had revoked land allocations granted to investors who failed to develop their properties, accusing some beneficiaries of using their Certificates of Occupancy solely as collateral to secure bank loans without carrying out the intended investments.

The commissioner, however, said genuine investors who are ready to develop their allocated land would be given another opportunity, provided they meet the conditions laid down by the government.

Speaking on security, the representative of the Commissioner of Police, the Police Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, assured residents that security agencies are closely monitoring the influx of Fulani herders into Niger State following the worsening insecurity in neighbouring states.

Abiodun said the police, in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security stakeholders, had screened the new arrivals and found no immediate security threat.

He further announced the establishment of Farmers-Herders Peace Committees in all 25 local government areas to provide a platform for resolving disputes through dialogue and preventing violent conflicts.

According to him, the committees comprise local government chairmen, Fulani leaders, traditional rulers, the police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the DSS and other relevant stakeholders.

He urged residents to channel complaints and disputes through the committees rather than resorting to self-help or violence.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Nana Obed, said the quarterly media briefing was introduced to bridge the communication gap between the government and the people.

He said the initiative would provide a regular platform for commissioners and heads of agencies to explain government policies, programmes and achievements, while giving journalists and members of the public the opportunity to ask questions and offer constructive feedback.

The commissioners reaffirmed the Niger State Government’s commitment to transparency, accountability, investment promotion and efficient service delivery in line with Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago’s New Niger Agenda.