Abia plans re-certification of land titles

In a move to streamline its land management policy, Abia State Government plans to embark on re-certification of Certificates of Occupancy  (CofO) issued to property owners.

The State’s Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Urban Renewal, Mr. Uche Ihediwa revealed the proposed initiative at the induction ceremony of six surveyors into the Association of Private Practicing Surveyors of Nigeria (APPSN) Hall of Fame and Honors award by the state Chapter of the body in Umuahia, the state capital.

APPSN is a subgroup of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS) that is the umbrella body for surveying practitioners and consultants in Nigeria.

Speaking at the ceremony, APPSN National Chairman, Chief Yomi Bobadoye commended the APPSN for celebrating their leaders. “ The celebration of excellence is critically fundamental in nation building and human development”.

He lauded the association for of honouring its outstanding members, saying that it would motivate practice of the profession and check quackery.

He urged the association to cooperate with the government to sanitize surveying practice. “The government would insist surveyors must play a role in the issuance of land information certificates and C of O but would want their professional charges to be competitive “ as government would be open to this partnership”.

Chairman of the state APPSN, Chief Thomas Ogwo who said that those being honoured and inducted into its Hall of Fame were found worthy in appreciation of their steadfastness and selfless contributions to the growth and practice of surveying.

He listed the honorees as Clement Nwabichie, Ugo  Chime, Nnaoma Uzor, Elijah Oke, Enyioma Nwogu and Uduma Ikpa.

Stressing the importance of surveying, Ogwo described surveying as the bedrock of all meaningful development, saying that any project without the professional input of the surveyor, it will be precarious and unreliable.

According to him, no land information and data should be unprofessionally acquired adding that State Land Information System and Geographic Information System will be best achieved with full partnership with the private practicing surveyors.

He said: “Road or drainage construction will not be meaningful if the surveyor’s input is neglected as the drainage will only be a designed permanent concrete water container”.

Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Pius Eze, urged APPSN to constructively work with NIS to ensure that the importance and exalted position of the profession remains ‘unshakable’, as the surveying profession has experienced challenges in recent time within and from other related bodies.

He also emphasized the need for people to engage services of surveyors more in the course of their property development, saying “ the recent review of surveyors fees was to ensure that they render proper services to clients. When the fee is not adequate, you can be sure that the services will not be adequate”.

According to him, “ any time you see infrastructural decay, registered surveyors are not involved in the foundation stage and we are asking that this should change”.