NIGERIA LAGS BEHIND BECAUSE OF NEGLECT OF LAND RESOURCES

He posited that for success to be achieved in the reform processes, the Government should constantly engage stakeholders in the sector, just as he urged the Government to establish National Stakeholders’ Support for advocacy on Land Reform, expressing optimism that  it would go a long way in ensuring the success of the reform programme.

“When Nigeria attained independence in 1960, the expectations of the founding fathers were very high. Their hopes were based on the ability of the vast fertile lands to drive and transform the economy. Unfortunately, this has not happened. The food situation has worsened. Homelessesnes has increased and the expected industrialIsation has failed to occurred’, he stated.

“After drifting around like a rudderless ship for 58 years precisely, we need to go back to the land. It is still possible for Nigeria to become one of the top twenty economies in the world and this can be achieved by proper use of our land resources “.

The University Don on land reforms said ” There should be constant engagement of the stakeholders to ensure success of the programme. You must all believe and have trust in the reform process for it to succeed. There must be institutional cooperation and collaboration across professional bodies dealing with land matters”.

Earlier in his welcome Speech, Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors, Ogun State Branch, Babatunde Ashaye ascribed the underrating of surveys input in engineering of the environment as factors responsible for the recent flood disaster.

Ashaye noted that, the grossed underrating of the surveyors have lead to environmental disaster which could have been avoided and expressed worry over the mass acquisition of operating areas by Government for a purpose not defined said the action is affecting their operations.

The Surveyors boss urged the Government to ensure the acquisition is attached to particular projects, and also advised his professional colleagues to update themselves particularly in this era of  technology advancement in order to cope with the realities.