The Presidential Technical Committee on Land Reform Communiqué 1 COMMUNIQUE OF THE FIRST STAKEHOLDERS INTERACTIVE ENGAGEMENT FORUM ORGANISED BY THE PRESIDENTIAL TECHNICAL COMMITTEEE ON LAND REFORMS (PTCLR) HELD AT ROCKVIEW HOTEL ABUJA ON THE 31 ST JULY 2012 PREAMBLE To serve as a vital ingredient to the realisation of Vision and the transformation agenda, the Presidential Technical Committee on Land Reforms was reconstituted in November 2011 by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR. As part of the Committees mandate to sensitize and create awareness, the Committee held its first stakeholders engagement forum. The forum was attended by stakeholders from government at Federal and State levels establishment dealing with land matters, relevant professional bodies, Civil Society Organizations, National Youth Service Corps, National Orientation Agency, as well as the media.

The Presidential Technical Committee on Land Reform Communiqué 2 The forum aims at sensitizing stakeholders on the mandate and activities of the PTCLR by providing a platform where stakeholders would make inputs into the Committees work and help address the myriad questions and issues in respect of land reform. The interactive forum amongst others discussed the mandate of the committee and the enormity of the work, the sustainability of it and the involvement of all stakeholders. Rising from the one day interactive forum, participants agreed on the following;

The Presidential Technical Committee on Land Reform Communiqué 3  The forum recognizes the rights of all Nigerians to have easy access to land without discrimination on the basis of gender. It also recognizes the need to change traditional practices that deny certain sections of the society access to land.  The participants recognize the need for sensitization and enlightenment campaigns to be undertaken by the Committee supported by Non-Governmental Organizations, media, Community Based Organizations, Professionals, Traditional leaders and the Local Government Authorities on sustainable and strategic land use and be properly funded.  The forum agreed that the Land Use Act is outdated and requires amendment. It advised that its removal from the Constitution should be the first step.

The Presidential Technical Committee on Land Reform Communiqué 4  The forum recognizes the success of Land Reform in Rwanda and some other African Countries. It therefore urges the Federal Government to give more support to the Committee to sustain the tempo of its activities.  The forum observed the positive interest and response from institutions such as NYSC, Civil Society Groups, Professional Bodies and the National Council of Women Societies who pledged to use their platforms to assist the Committee.  The need for mapping the country at large scale was highlighted. Government at all levels and relevant stakeholders were urged to ensure map production at cadastral scales to facilitate land reform and national development.

The Presidential Technical Committee on Land Reform Communiqué 5  That the forum recognises the need for National Land Policy.  That alternative dispute resolution mechanisms be put in place in all states and local governments.  The forum expressed the need for the cost of registration of land titles to be affordable to the majority of Nigerians.

The Presidential Technical Committee on Land Reform Communiqué 6  That there is the need for the Committee to ensure that all land reform projects and activities are monitored for effectiveness.  That there is need to strengthen land administration institutions at all levels of government to cope with the challenges of land reform programme.

The Presidential Technical Committee on Land Reform Communiqué 7 Members of the Committee Dr. G I Agbaje- Chairman Mr. Emman Zakari Surv. Steve Bilshakka Ms. Priscilla M Achakpa Bridget Tikupa Dr. A.C Ike Surv. C.E Oboli Elder Eteng Ibiang Eteng K. I Nwankwo- Secretary