The Cross River State Commissioner for Lands, Dr. Erasmus Ekpang, has assured members of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Staff Multi-purpose Cooperative Society Limited of the Ministry’s readiness to assist them in identifying suitable land with verified ownership and valid documentation.
Dr. Ekpang gave the assurance when he received a delegation of NIMC officials on a courtesy visit to seek the intervention of the State Government in addressing challenges associated with land acquisition for members of the cooperative.
The Commissioner acknowledged the concerns raised by the delegation and expressed the Ministry’s willingness to explore appropriate avenues to facilitate access to legally secure land for the cooperative’s members.
“Our Ministry is willing to assist the NIMC cooperative in identifying suitable land for acquisition. However, the cooperative must submit a formal application stating its requirements to enable the relevant departments to conduct the necessary searches and investigations,” he said.
Dr. Ekpang explained that the formal application would enable the Ministry’s relevant directors and departments to conduct the necessary searches and identify suitable land for consideration.
He stressed the importance of conducting thorough due diligence before acquiring land, noting that proper verification was essential to protecting prospective buyers from avoidable legal complications.
“It is important to ensure that any land proposed for acquisition has a verifiable ownership history, valid documentation and is free from encumbrances or disputes. This is necessary to protect the interests of the cooperative’s members,” the Commissioner said.
He also acknowledged the important role of NIMC in national identity management and public service delivery, noting that the National Identification Number (NIN) serves as a key instrument for identity verification and promotes transparency in transactions, including those relating to land.
The Commissioner further expressed his willingness to engage relevant government authorities on matters affecting NIMC and its personnel, while encouraging the delegation to sustain constructive relations with the Cross River State Government.
Earlier, the Director of Administration, NIMC, Mr. Akung Joseph Ugar, explained that the cooperative had explored opportunities with private property developers but encountered difficulties verifying land ownership and the authenticity of relevant documents.
“We approached the Ministry of Lands because we encountered challenges verifying land ownership and the authenticity of documents while exploring opportunities with private property developers. We are seeking the Ministry’s guidance to help our members acquire affordable land with secure ownership,” Ugar said.
He appealed to the Ministry to intervene by providing guidance and facilitating access to affordable, legally recognised land that would enable members of the cooperative to meet their personal and family housing needs.
The delegation expressed appreciation to the Commissioner for granting them an audience and for his willingness to consider their request.
The visit highlighted the importance of inter-agency collaboration in addressing land acquisition challenges and the need for transparent, properly documented procedures to protect property buyers and promote responsible land administration in Cross River State.
By Afiong Ndem
