Real Estate Lawyers Association of Nigeria (RELAN) has commended the determination of President Goodluck Jonathan to repeal the Land Use Act.

President Jonathan had on Monday spoken of his desire to have the Act repealed while addressing a summit on “Realizing the potential of Agriculture in Africa” organised in Abuja by the Rockfeller Foundation as part its centenary celebration.

RELAN in a statement endorsed by its Vice President (Operations) Mr. Adekunle Omotola, noted that the Federal Government’s commitment is in line with the view of his Association during its first National Summit on the Land Use Act in Abuja in 2009 and the recent one on June 20 this year.

Said Omotola: “RELAN was not unaware that to repeal the Land Use Act, it must conform with Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

“We are also aware of the fact that the plenary session of the Senate and the House of Representatives are currently debating the report of Senator Ike Ekweremadu and Hon. Emeka Ihedioha led committees on the amendment of the constitution.

“We are gratified that for President Jonathan to have publicly declared that the Land Use Act will be amended is a right step in the right direction.

“Indeed, President Goodluck Jonathan’s commitment is a continuation of the concrete step taken by his predecessor in office, Late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua who forwarded a bill to the National Assembly for amendments of some sections of the Act in 2009.

“It is our view that a practical approach by the government to seek an amendment of some sections of the Act is to ensure that the Act wears a human face and to be consistent with democratic norms and ideals.”

RELAN therefore urged the Federal Government to liaise with the National Assembly, Governors and the State Houses of Assembly with a view to facilitate a drastic amendment of the Land Use Act. By doing so, the government must have achieved one of its aims to make its vision 2020 a reality, Omotola concluded

•Photo shows President Jonathan.

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