A land reform bill which will restrict the power of state governors over land transactions has been sent to the National Assembly by President Umara Yar'Adua, Business Day reports.

According to a statement issued by Olusegun Adeniyi, senior special assistant to the president on communication, Yar'Adua sent the bill to senate president, David Mark, and speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole.

The proposed amendments to the Land Use Act relate to various sections of the current Act with the core idea being to limit the requirement for a governor's consent in land transactions.

The reform bill will make it unnecessary to have a governor's blessing for mortgages, subleases and other land transfers.

The passage of the bill is expected to make land transactions less difficult and drive economic growth.