In a bid to overhaul land administration in Katsina State, the Save Katsina Group, consisting of 24 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and community-based organisations (CBOs), has called for collaborative efforts between lawmakers and the state government to embrace a fit-for-purpose system of land administration.
During a press briefing following their advocacy visit to the Katsina State House of Assembly, the group’s spokesperson, Hamza Umar Saulawa, emphasized that the adoption of a fit-for-purpose approach would streamline land management, making it more efficient, transparent, and inclusive. Saulawa highlighted the potential for a mutually beneficial outcome for all stakeholders involved in land-related matters.
According to Saulawa, the proposed reform is poised to yield a myriad of benefits. It is anticipated to bolster internally generated revenue, enhance internal security, and facilitate organized urban and rural planning within the state. Furthermore, it is projected to empower landowners, homeowners, businesses, and corporate entities by affording them secure and bankable rights over their land holdings.
Central to the envisioned system is the simplification of the process for obtaining a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) and the maintenance of precise records of all land transactions. “This innovative approach will not only overhaul the land sector’s revenue collection framework, but also invigorate the land market, thereby creating avenues for citizen investment,” explained Saulawa.
Citing successful implementations in various African countries such as Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, and Mozambique, Saulawa emphasized the potential for the proposed reform to simplify title registration, curtail fraudulent land transactions, and minimize the prevalence of land disputes and associated legal proceedings.
The noble aspiration of the Save Katsina Group is to propel Katsina State towards a modern and efficient land administration system, akin to successful models witnessed across the African continent. With the potential to revolutionize land-related processes and instill transparency, this call for reform stands as a significant step towards sustainable and equitable land management in the region.
