The Kano State Bureau for Land Management (KSBLM) with the Kano State Urban Planning and Development Authority (KNUPDA) facilitated a multi-stakeholder discussion to share some of the initiatives being implemented by both departments to ease the process of land registration and construction permits in the state.

The session was held on 30th April 2019 in Kano with support from DFID’s Partnership to Engage, Reform and Learn with participation from MDAs, PEBEC, Media, Traditional rulers, independent Legal Councils, Professional groups etc.

There were two sessions. Session One focused on enlightening participants on reform initiatives being implemented by KSBLM and KNUPDA; while Session Two provided opportunity for participants to discuss issues related to experiences with services offered by these agencies.

Session One:

KSBLM presentation/enlightened on:

• Systematic Land Titling Registration (SLTR) Certification which commenced in 2017
• E-search report application for checking land transactions, mortgage, leasing and encumbrances;
• Measures taken to ensure proper land valuation which informs proper land taxation by working closely with in-house and independent estate surveyors;
• Complaint handling mechanisms – The land use and allocation committee, Dispute complaints and investigation unit, and the Public complaints and anti-corruption commission;
• The launch of a website that harmonized Kano Geographic Information System and Bureau for Land Management – www.ksblm.com.ng

KNUPDA presentation/enlightened on:

• The launch of the KNUPDA website - knupda.org;
• Submission of application and payment for building plans are now done simultaneously and can be done online;
• Building plan approval is now obtainable within 14 days;
• Establishment of desk officers to screen submissions, assist with complaints and enquiries associated with construction permit issues;
• Private consultants in place to inspect and certify constructions to support the issuance of certificate of habitation;
• Permit fees for SMEs have been pegged at N10,000;
• Payments for KNUPDA services are only acceptable through the online platform or banks;
• Established customer care unit/service to attend to questions and processing permits.

Session Two:

The second session featured 7 panelists engaged in discussing experiences and suggesting ways forward for KSBLM and KNUPDA. The Chairman, National Institute of Town planners, Jibrin Dammati, commended the effort of both departments and suggested that such reforms should be extended to the process of obtaining planning permits, frontage fencing and the domestication of the Urban and Regional planning law. The Village Head of Gama, Alh Rabiu Isyaku, shared his experience in intervening in land disputes and challenges with illegal building construction and noted that these reforms will ease the resolution process going forward. He expressed his appreciation for the inclusion of representatives from the Emirate Council in the session.