Taraba Assembly faults Land Use Act

Taraba State House of Assembly has frowned at the provisions of the Land Use Act 1978, which allows the Federal Government to control the natural resources underneath the land controlled by state governors.

The Land Use Act 1978 (formerly known as Decree No. 6 of 1978) was a creation of the military government of the then General Olusegun Obasanjo (rtd.), which took effect from March 20, 1978.

Through the Speaker, Joseph Kunini, the Assembly differed with the legal concept of land to include not only the surface of the earth and the subsoil but also all appurtenances permanently attached to it.

By the definition, the lands and things that grow on them, as well as the artificial contents in the form of buildings and other permanent fixtures, belong to the owner of the land.

Speaking at the floor of the House after the second reading of the Taraba State Investment Promotion Agency (Establishment) Bill 2021, sponsored by the Executive, the lawmakers described the Land Use Act 1978 as a major setback to Investment promotion and Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) by the state government.

They applauded the executive arm of government under Governor Darius Ishaku for bringing the bill to the Assembly for consideration and passage, which they said was timely, considering the dwindling IGR of the state.