Effect of AGIS on Implementation of Electronic Land Administration in FCT, Abuja Nigeria

Abstract

Land administration in Abuja includes processes of land registration, cadastre, valuation and land inventory. Every country in the world pursues these activities in one form or another irrespective of the stage of development. Developing countries particularly, Nigeria are overwhelmed by challenges of land management and administration. Recent efforts to secure tenure and enhance real property markets are under pressure from increasing demand and competition for land. Effort at implementing land administration reform in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have led to inefficiency, incoherent and poor land management. This has undermined the huge potentials and global competitiveness in the sector. This study assesses the effectiveness of Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS) on the implementation of electronic land administration in the FCT. Descriptive survey method was adopted in carrying out this study. Data collection involved sample of 150 applicants/beneficiaries of land, drawn across seven districts to determine how electronic land administration system in the FCT has improved the practice. The findings of the study revealed that electronic land administration in AGIS does not address unequal land distribution. Also, management, acquisition and disposal of public land follow unclear procedures and are not applied equitably and transparently. Formal land delivery takes an inordinate amount of time under the existing frameworks and land fees are unaffordable to many residents in the FCT. Based on the findings, the study recommended the empowerment of the Land Use and Allocation Committee (LUAC) to ensure fairness and equity in land acquisition processes, reorganizing the AGIS workflow, installation of state-of-the art technology for efficiency that will make the processes and procedures for acquisition of land clear to the general public. The study also recommended active participation of key stakeholders through public hearings and citizen’s forums.