The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has established a Directorate of Land Administration (DLA) to secure, control, document, manage and administer all its lands and landed properties across the nation.
The new directorate, which will be domiciled under the logistics branch, was approved by the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, in a move to address the incessant issues of trespassing, encroachment and needless disputes over un-demarcated or unfenced boundaries of some of NAF lands and landed properties.
“The establishment of the DLA is a proactive step by the NAF to secure all its lands and avoid conflicts and disputes with civilians, institutions or organisations. It is also expedient as some of these encroachments constitute a risk to the security of some NAF Bases with implications on national security.”
The DLA will interface with the various ministries of lands as well as the base commanders in ensuring that all matters related to trespassing and encroachments on NAF lands and landed properties are expeditiously dispensed with in line with extant laws.
The establishment of the DLA is a significant development for the NAF, as it will help to protect and safeguard its assets, which are vital to its operations. It is also a step in the right direction towards promoting transparency and accountability in the management of NAF lands.
Moreover, the establishment of the DLA is a welcome development, as it will help to address the following challenges:
Trespassing and encroachment: The DLA will work to identify and address all cases of trespassing and encroachment on NAF lands. This will help to protect the integrity of NAF bases and other facilities, and ensure that they can be used for their intended purposes.
Boundary disputes: The DLA will also help to resolve boundary disputes with neighboring communities and organizations. This will help to prevent future conflicts and misunderstandings.
Management of NAF lands: The DLA will be responsible for the overall management of NAF lands, including planning, development, and maintenance. This will help to ensure that NAF lands are used efficiently and effectively.
The DLA is expected to play a key role in the NAF’s efforts to modernize and improve its capabilities. By securing and managing its lands effectively, the NAF can ensure that it has the resources it needs to carry out its mission of protecting Nigeria’s airspace and sovereignty.