The Commissioner for Lands, Cross River State, Hon. Dr. Erasmus Ekpang, has called for greater collaboration, transparency and coordination among agencies and professional bodies involved in land administration and development across the state.
Dr. Ekpang made the call during his maiden meeting with heads of the various Land Clusters, where he stressed the need for a unified approach to land management and a clearer understanding of the responsibilities of each agency within the land administration chain.
The meeting brought together representatives from Summit Hills, the Lands Use Allocation Committee (LUAC), the Office of the Surveyor General, the Cross River Geographic Information Agency (CRGIA), Cross River State Property Development and Investment Limited (CROSPIL), Town Planning, Development Control Task Force and the Ministry of Housing.
Addressing the cluster heads, the Commissioner urged all the agencies and professional groups to operate as one team, stressing that effective land administration cannot be achieved through isolated efforts. He said the government was determined to build a land management system that is transparent, coordinated and responsive to the needs of residents and investors.
Ekpang directed that undocumented land transactions must stop, while urging all stakeholders to support government policies aimed at making land administration a key driver of economic growth, investment, housing and sustainable development.
He further charged officers and agencies to uphold professionalism and accountability, particularly in the use of government facilities and official vehicles, which he said must be strictly deployed for government business.
The Commissioner also underscored the importance of technology in modern land administration. Speaking on the role of the Cross River Geographic Information Agency, its Director-General, William Archibong, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to deploying Geographic Information System (GIS) technology to strengthen land administration, support the various clusters and improve the processing of Certificates of Occupancy.
Archibong expressed optimism that, with stronger cooperation among the stakeholders, Certificates of Occupancy could be processed within 60 days or less. He, however, noted that achieving the target would require the commitment and cooperation of every agency involved in the land administration process.
The Surveyor General, Surv. P. E. Bassey, explained that his office plays a critical role in identifying areas suitable for acquisition and providing the geospatial data required for effective planning and development. He also stressed the importance of inter-agency collaboration in territorial planning and conflict resolution.
Representing the Town Planning Department, Tph. (Mrs.) Evelyn outlined the department’s responsibilities, including the preparation of layouts, assessment of development proposals, orderly physical development and enforcement of planning regulations.
The Chairman of the Development Control Task Force, Mr. Akiba Ekpenyong Akiba, also explained the task force’s responsibility for enforcing building and development regulations, including compliance with approved plans and other statutory requirements.
The Commissioner directed that government layouts must be developed through the collective participation of all relevant land clusters to ensure proper planning, coordination and efficient land use.
He further charged the Development Control Task Force to carry out its enforcement duties with a human face, insisting that enforcement must be guided by due process and must not degenerate into touting or arbitrary demolition of properties.
The meeting also resolved that the various land clusters should maintain regular communication with the Ministry and keep one another abreast of developments and issues affecting land administration and development.
Dr. Ekpang described the meeting as an important step towards building a more coordinated, disciplined and transparent land administration system in Cross River State.
He appreciated the cluster heads for their contributions and called for sustained synergy among all stakeholders, noting that a more efficient land administration system would help drive investment, housing development and sustainable growth across the state.
IN ATTENDANCE
- Hon. Dr. Erasmus Ekpang — Commissioner for Lands / Cluster Chairman
- Oku E. Ita — Representative, 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 — Representative, CROSPIL
- Tph. (Mrs.) Evelyn — Representative, 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
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