Nasarawa State’s land resources have become a highly sought-after asset, with organizations and individuals eager to acquire land in the state for various business purposes. However, the customary owners of the land often find it challenging to release their land for government acquisition, whether for infrastructural development or for companies to set up operations.
While the government has the legal right to acquire land compulsorily, the state government has instead chosen to establish a standardized method of land acquisition in the state.
This method respects the rights of customary landowners and all stakeholders .
Apart from respecting their rights, Government through the Ministry of Lands and Urban Development engages them in the process of land acquisition this has ensured transparency throughout the land acquisition process.
By doing so, Nasarawa State aims to strike a balance between promoting economic growth and respecting the cultural and traditional ties of its people to their land.
Government don’t acquired land for infrastructural development or investors alone but acquired Lands for farming of rice and other crops, only recently the state government commenced the harvest of it’s 2000 hectares rice farm in jangwa, Obi local government area.
The harvest is part of the implementation of president Ahmed Bola Tinubu food security programme under the renewed hope agenda.
However, there have been rumoured that Government has forcefully took over land for the cultivation of rice.
But the governor Sule during his visit to the rice farm to witness the harvest cleared the air on the allegations of seizure of lands belonging to the local farmers being used as part of the government’s 10,000 hectares farm.
He denied forced land takeover, stating that the land in question belongs to the Nasarawa State Government. However, there’s a dispute over a small area (less than 300 hectares) where people encroached on government land and are now reluctant to leave.
The governor emphasized that his administration has only cultivated 2000 hectares, avoiding areas with disputes. He promised to limit farming activities to 2000 hectares and provide compensation to affected communities, allowing them to maintain their farms.
Already a team of technical staff from the Ministry of Lands and Urban Development have embarked on assessment, peremiter survey and becoaning excise in Ajangwa and Agwaatashi communities where the lands for the rice is located.
The excises are part of the transparent and effective process of land acquisition.
But during the excises the team faced difficulties as the areas were waterlogged and inaccessible by vehicles motorbike could only reach 2 kilometers , leaving the team to covered the remaining 10 kilometers on foot with their working tools.
Despite these challenges the team persevered, showcasing their resilience and determination.
Commissioner of the Ministry,TPL, Ibrahim Bala Mulki said the staff are highly committed in doing their jobs and can work in tough conditions when necessary inputs are given to them
