The Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS) has urged the Lagos State Government to enforce existing laws against land grabbers.
The Chairman, NIS, Mr Olukolade Kazeem, made the call at a news conference to mark the 2024 Global Surveyors Day.
The Day is celebrated every year to highlight the contributions of surveyors and raise awareness about the profession.
Kazeem said that when existing laws against the crime are enforced effectively, residents would feel protected and secured to own their property.
“We hereby urge the State Government to put in place the apparatus to enforce the Anti Land Grabbing Law; the insanity of thugs harassing people is unacceptable,’’ he said.
Kazeem advised the National Assembly to allow Lagos to create its own police force, separate from the national police.
He stressed that a state police force, particularly a Sheriff Department, would be more responsive to the needs of Lagos residents and better equipped to handle local security issues.
The NIS chairman also called on the government to make land registration and titling faster and cheaper for residents.
According to him, making land registration faster and cheaper will make it easier for people to officially own their land, give them peace of mind and reduce the risk of land disputes.
He emphasised the need for the state to enforce existing urban planning regulations and create flexible spatial distribution for future development.
Kazeem advocated the development of long-term funding solutions for low-cost housing and easier access to land acquisition financing.
He recommended the establishment of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) to create a vision for future infrastructure development and a clear process for engaging with the government on PPPs.
The chairman urged the government to review and update existing city plans to ensure they aligned with the state’s development goals.
Kazeem also advised the government to conduct a census to determine the actual population of Lagos.
Additionally, he appealed to Lagos residents to ensure responsible use of public space and stop the habit of converting public areas like road setbacks and abandoned houses into kiosks and trading points.
He urged residents to always act responsibly and courteously while using the roads, to create a safe and smooth flow of traffic for all users.
He condemned in totality the manner residents used the roads for auto repair businesses and indiscriminate parking, saying this causes traffic obstruction. (NAN)
