The Ministry of Lands/Water Resources and the Ministry of Works' responsibilities for the state's land acquisition and compensation payments have been requested to be streamlined by the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers in Akwa Ibom State.

It bemoaned the embarrassing and unsuccessful role-playing that the Works Ministry continues to engage in.

The appeal was made on Saturday during this year's Valuation Day celebration in Uyo, with the theme "Valuation: Key to Decision Making for Assets and Resources Optimisation." by the State Chairman of NIESV, ESV. Obot Akpan.

According to Sections 29(4)(b) and 29(4)(C) of the Land Use Act, Cap. 202, LFN, 1990, the Ministry of Lands has the legal obligation to acquire land and pay compensation; the Director of Lands in the Ministry of Lands/Water Resources has the sole authority to determine the amount of compensation to be paid.

Despite these legal requirements, according to Akpan, the Ministry of Works in the state is supposedly the owner of the compensation value for forcible acquisition. This development has resulted in a lack of documentation of previous land transaction data.

However, Akpan praised the State Ministry of Lands and Water Resources for its bold initiatives, dynamism, and vision in delivering infrastructure projects and staff welfare, opening up some public estates, mobilizing and paying outstanding compensation on acquired public lands, and reclaiming government lands and properties that had previously been invaded by communities, among other things.

Akpan, who was accompanied by others on a courtesy visit to the Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources, Capt. Iniobong Ekong(retd), gave him a briefing on the organization's duties, which include valuation of assets and properties for all purposes, land acquisition and compensation payments, property rating and administration, property/facility management, and property development and financing, among other things, and urged the state government to support them so they can help with the growth and development of the state.