The Cross River State Government has pledged stronger collaboration with the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) to strengthen land administration, promote professional standards and improve transparency and efficiency in the management of land and property across the state.
The Commissioner for Lands, Dr. Erasmus Ekpang, made the commitment when he received the Cross River State Chapter of NIESV, led by its Chairman, ESV. Edet Okon, on a courtesy visit to his office in Calabar.
Erasmus Ekpang said the Ministry was prepared to work with relevant professional bodies to address challenges in land administration, property valuation, development control and property management, stressing that professionalism, transparency, accountability and teamwork were essential to achieving the desired reforms. “We are committed to restoring the Ministry of Lands to the standard expected of it, and we need the support and professional input of bodies such as NIESV to achieve this,” he said.
The Commissioner particularly emphasised the need for greater transparency and digitisation of land records and processes, noting that accessible and reliable land information would improve efficiency, strengthen government planning and reduce opportunities for irregularities within the system.
He identified compensation for acquired properties as one of the major issues requiring urgent attention, assuring the delegation that he would engage the appropriate authorities and ensure that the concerns of legitimate property owners affected by government acquisitions received the necessary attention.
Erasmus Ekpang also appealed for greater consideration of the economic realities confronting individuals and businesses in the implementation of fees and charges, stressing the need for a land administration system that remains responsive to prevailing financial pressures.
He urged members of NIESV to continue providing government with professional advice and to report questionable or fraudulent land-related activities to the Ministry for appropriate action. He further assured the institution that the Ministry would sustain engagement with professional bodies in tackling challenges affecting land administration, valuation, development control and property management.
Earlier, the NIESV Chairman, ESV. Edet Okon, congratulated the Commissioner on his appointment and expressed the institution’s readiness to partner with the Ministry in advancing land administration, property valuation and other areas relevant to the development of Cross River State.
Okon said estate surveyors and valuers occupied a critical position in the land and property sector, stressing the need for closer cooperation with the Ministry to address existing challenges and promote professionalism. “We are ready to work with the Ministry to improve land administration and ensure that professionalism and proper valuation remain central to the management of property in Cross River State,” he said.
He identified the establishment of a valuation department in the Ministry, insurance matters, land acquisition and compensation, government properties and ground rent as areas requiring attention. He also appealed for a plot of land for the construction of the institution’s association house and a bus to facilitate valuation assignments across the state.
The NIESV chairman further called for stronger measures against unqualified practitioners, popularly known as quacks, to protect members of the public and uphold professional standards. He emphasised the importance of accurate data and proper documentation, noting that reliable statistics would support government planning, revenue generation and effective management of the state’s land resources.
Okon also stressed the need to appropriately compensate legitimate property owners whose lands are acquired for public purposes, urging government to ensure fairness in the acquisition process.
The visit featured the presentation of a large framed photograph to the Commissioner by NIESV as a gesture of appreciation and goodwill. The engagement ended with both parties reaffirming their commitment to sustained professional cooperation towards improved land administration and responsible property development in Cross River State.
By Affiong Ndem
