Niger State Government Announces Exemptions for Key Properties in New Land Use Charge System
The Niger State Government has announced that places of worship, old people’s homes, correctional facilities, Emir’s palaces, and residences of senior citizens will be excluded from the state’s planned land use charges. This decision was made as part of the government’s effort to introduce a land use charge system to enhance land administration in the state. The move is intended to streamline and consolidate various property and land-based rates in line with the State Revenue Harmonisation Law.
According to Barr Maurice Bello Magaji, the Commissioner for Lands and Survey, the charges will be based on assessments of land properties, taking into account factors such as location, purpose, and type of property. He emphasized that the land use charge is designed to align with international best practices and to help boost the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), ultimately supporting the provision of social amenities and public services.
The government has also confirmed that certain properties, including places of worship, old people’s homes, correctional facilities, Emir’s palaces, and senior citizens’ residences, will be exempt from these charges. This exemption aims to ensure that essential community services and heritage sites are not burdened by the new land use fees.
Additionally, the statement highlighted that Governor Muhammad Umar Bago has approved the upgrade of the Geographical Information System (GIS) to further improve land management in the state. The upgraded GIS will help identify key areas, such as agricultural lands, and support data collection for planning and house numbering. The system will also streamline land acquisition processes and ensure greater accuracy in managing land resources across Niger State.
