The Cross River State House of Assembly has called on chairmen of the 18 local government areas in the State to constitute Land Allocation and Advisory Committees (LAAC) in accordance with Section 6(2) of the Land Use Act.
The State Legislators also urged the local government chairmen to issue Customary Rights of Occupancy (CRO) to interested applicants.
The House of Assembly made the call Wednesday after deliberations on a motion sponsored by the member representing Biase State Constituency, Hon Francis Ogban, on the need to constitute Land Allocation and Advisory Committees in the 18 Local Government Areas of the State.
The Lawmakers stressed the need for Council Chairmen and their Land Allocation and Advisory Committees to collaborate with other relevant stakeholders to sensitise citizens on the need to perfect their land titles and use them as collateral for obtaining loans to support their farming activities.
Earlier, the sponsor of the motion, Hon Ogban, had reiterated that the Land Use Act of 1978 vested ownership of all land in the state government, while all land within the rural areas are vested in the local government councils.
The lawmaker further stated amongst other things that “the Land Allocation and Advisory Committee is empowered to grant Customary Rights of Occupancy (CRO) to any person or organisation for the use of land in the LGAs for agricultural, grazing, and/or residential purpose”.
He added that “these Customary Rights of Occupancy (CRO) can be used as collateral for loans to help farmers develop and expand their farms while also generating revenue for the LG Councils”.
In their respective contributions, members unanimously supported the motion.
They enumerated several advantages of the CRO to include: reduction of land disputes, expansion of businesses, engagements for unemployed youths and generation of revenue for the local government councils.
In his remarks on the debate, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt Hon Elvert Ayambem, expressed appreciation to the sponsor of the motion and other lawmakers for their commitment to the wellbeing of CrossRiverians through their legislation.
Rt. Hon. Ayambem stressed that the motion was aimed at providing an opportunity for rural farmers to improve their businesses and living standards.
