Land Land Department is one of the twelve departments of the Bureau. It came into existence since the establishment of the defunct Ministry and is responsible for executing general land administration policies and matters in the Bureau. This involves management of issues relating to land allocation and conversion of customary rights to statutory rights of occupancy. The functions the department has been performing have undergone a lot of changes over the years. It presently comprises of 4 operational units namely:- Direct Allocation Unit Conversion Unit Miscellaneous Unit Registries Unit The Department currently has 22 no. professional and technical staff with varying qualifications. SECTIONS Direct Allocation Unit This unit is generally responsible for the processing of statutory rights of occupancy which do not have customary origin. The unit prepares recommendations based on the shortlist provided and letters of grant are prepared after approval. The unit also processes re-grants, recertification, and formalization of occupancy permits, revocations as well as applications for temporary files, lost of documents and public projects (SIT/GKN) applications. Conversion Unit This Unit processes applications for conversion of customary rights to statutory rights of occupancy. The unit is also responsible for applications for private layouts by individuals and corporate bodies. Registry Unit This Unit keeps records of all land files in the Bureau. New land files are commissioned here as well as the assessment of ground rents. Miscellaneous Unit This Unit entertains enquiries and requests from courts, police and other government agencies. It treats emergency cases requiring instant action as well as departmental audit. Applications for Certificates of Occupancy are also checked to ensure all conditions are fulfilled before forwarding to GIS Department for production of e-Certificate. FUNCTIONS The Department consists of the following functions: Recertification: This is the process of recertifying KN Certificates of Occupancy issued before the 1981 rampage. Re-grant: This involves processing of an application for another term of years due to expiration of a title. All approved statutory rights are of occupancy have life spans which are expressed in years. Direct Allocation: This refers to allocation of plots to various applicants through the direct allocation policy of government. Resettlement Allocation: This refers to allocation of plots as compensation to people affected by the implementation of layouts and/or other projects. Regularizing allocations from federal and state agencies e.g. Housing Corporation, NEPA, NITEL etc. Extensions: Processing applications for extension of properties covered by existing titles. The extensions are finally incorporated into the existing titles. Processing of applications for regularizing occupancy permits (OPs). All applicants issued with OPs are required to apply for statutory rights of occupancy within three months from the date of issue. SIT/GKN: These are applications involving public projects. The Bureau conveys approval letters but does not issue letters of grant or certificates of occupancy. Commissioning temporary files to enable holders discharge their obligations and conduct other transactions. Processing of revocation and reinstatement of revoked titles. Processing applications for conversion of customary rights to statutory rights of occupancy sectional titles and private layouts. Managing correspondences of the Bureau in liaison with other departments. Verification of rights of occupancy to ensure that procedure is observed and all conditions fulfilled before forwarding to GIS Department for e-recertification. Processing requests for verification of titles from courts, Police and other anti-graft agencies. Land Registries: The four land registries in the Bureau are responsible for the following: Commissioning of new files Keeping custody of all land files Computation of ground rents Updating records in respect of existing titles.