LAND TITLE CONFLICTS AND REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT AND DEVELOPMENT IN RIVERS STATE

ABSTRACT : Land titling and property development are two processes which are important in real estateinvestment decision-making and investment itself. . Land title guarantees certainty of ownership of a site for realestate construction and development to take place, hence, real estate investments consist of developments onland.Land Titling protects an individual‟s right and by extension any improvement upon the land in the form ofproperty investment. It excludes others from appropriating the fruits of an investors investments. Unfortunately,Land ownership conflicts as well as the ignoring the and neglecting land issues in post-conflict situations oftenhave extensive negative effects on economic, social, spatial and ecological development. Solving and preventingland conflicts as well as addressing land issues responsibly in both conflict and post-conflict situations is key tosustainable development. It is also crucial for peace and stability, and the realization of human rights. Priorityattention on land conflict prevention and solutions, coupled with the establishment of a responsible landgovernance framework, is a key cornerstone for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Thestudy examined thecharacteristics and nature of land title conflicts in Rivers State, Nigeria, and how it interfereswith real estate development and investment prospects. The methodology had a largely pragmatic undertone andresearch philosophy. It employed the use of qualitative research instruments in the data collection and analysis.Archival review of documents with , content and thematic analysis led to the study‟s findings. The findingsrevealed that trespass, encroachment, doubleor multiple sales and allocation are the major sources of land titleconflicts which negate and impede sustainable land titling and subsequently real property investment anddevelopment. The study concludes that, in order to promote real estate investment and development, andeliminate land title conflicts, it is pertinent for Government at all levels to deal with and treat cases of land titleconflict as a criminal offence with capital punishment for offenders. Government should be more proactive andpragmatic while giving land title approval to individual(s) and corporate organizations. Due diligence should betaking when issuing Certificate of Occupancy to person(s), so as to avoid double allocation of single plot to twoperson(s) which will in turn result in conflict. The study makes several recommendations: (1) In order to reduceor eliminate the issue of trespass to land; For Native lands, Communities should have a registered layout ofNative lands before selling such lands. (2)Government land titling offices should demand for such Native landLayout before issuing title to any person(s) or group of individuals in relation to any land. (3) On Governmentlands, government should implement an on-ground layout or any acquired land in the State and not an on-paperlayout as the case in many government layout (proposed). (4) Government in acquiring property where there areexisting certificates of occupancy, should be properly revoke such C of O‟s before issuing another certificate ofoccupancy to a new or an old landlord.Government should implement and enforce strict compliance with theregistration of deeds of conveyance and survey plans which is also an income generation opportunity forGovernment too.