The Rivers State Ministry of Lands and survey
The Rivers State Ministry of Lands and Survey is responsible for land administration, surveying, and land use management within the state. The ministry oversees the entire process of land acquisition, ensuring transparency and fairness through structured procedures for land allocation and compensation. Located at Point Block (3rd Floor), Rivers State Secretariat Complex, Port Harcourt. it also provides an online platform to ease the process of e-filings and registration. The ministry is committed to resolving land disputes and facilitating a seamless land ownership experience for residents and investors.
Application for Certificate of Occupancy ( C of O)
1st Process
Applicant to create account on RIVLANDS
Applicant upload Deed of Conveyance (Blue copy survey plan)
Applicant pays for upload (Charting and site inspection and admin fee – Admin fee is for the survey department)
Charting is done (5-7 days)
Certificate of Deposit (C.O.D.) generated and issued
Survey officers uploads the surveyed land in their format to RIVLANDS
Surveyor General approves.
Application
2nd Process
Upon approval, RIVLANDS notifies applicants to proceed with the collection and completion of C of O forms and RIVLANDS officers accesses application (survey)
The C of O form is enabled for the applicant to complete the application form for C of O.
At completion of the form for submission, applicant pays the sum of N2,500 or above. (Form completed and submitted).
Applicant uploads the following documents: Affidavit | Attestation, Company seal, Logo, Deed of conveyance, Deed of transfer, Tax clearance (3 years) RIVTAMIS, MEMART (Corporate), CoI (corporate), CoD from Surveyor Gen, Survey plan, ID card (National ID for individuals)
At the Land use and allocation office, they upload the documents and complete the online form. N20,000 for publication is paid – This is going to be online.
System generates the publication on monthly basis (30) days.
No contest of the land, the due date, the system allows for publication capture
Publication is captured (for no contest)
Submission for approval based on the status of the land (P.S)
P.S | Commissioner then approves After approval
Generation of the Deed fee is enabled
Sends the applicant a copy of the Deed fee based on the State Revenue Schedule.
Applicants pays the deed fee and returns the proof of payment
All documents go to quality control, they check all documentations and data entry to avoid errors.
Once it passes QC, QC authorizes for printing. (It could part for a week)
Printing of C of O by land use
Final Process
Ministry of Lands Sends C of O to surveyor General for signature and sealing through the P.S / Commissioner). Further checks.
Surveyor General signs and seals and returns to lands
P.S sends to land use to put back in file and append forwarding memo to the H. E.
Land use Director – Permanent Secretary – Commissioner – H.E (One sheet of memo is used)
A manual file with all doc, C of O and forwarding memo is sent to the H.E for signing
H.E reviews and signs and sends to Commissioner.
Commissioner receives signed C of O and forwards to P.S, P.S sends to Deed Registry
Deed Registrar sends to Registration officers; they register the C of O in “No|page|volume (Red pen done manually). C of O is produced in triplicates.
After registration, it goes back to the deed registrar for arrangement for stamp duty
It is then taken to RIRS for stamp duty at N1,000 and copies
Upon completion of the stamp duty process at the RIRS, it comes back to the deed registrar ready for issuance
The client notified for him to come for collection and they are reminded of the admin charge of N10,000.
Applicant comes and his/her biometrics are captured. It has to be the applicant.
Applicant signs C of O and is captured and signs the delivery note (Auto generated).
Close of deal
Office Hours:
Mon – Fri: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Mon – Fri: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Phone: 070004RIV-INVEST
(07000474846)
(07000474846)
-
Chief Emmanuel Aguma
House 4 Moscow Road,
Port Harcourt, Rivers State
Useful Links
News & Updates
The latest RSIPA news, articles, and resources, sent straight to your inbox every month.