EXAMINATION OF COMPULSORY LAND ACQUISITION PROCESS IN MOKWA LGA, NIGER STATE
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2024-12
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Lead City University, Ibadan
Abstract
This study examines compulsory land acquisition process in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State with a view to providing information that will enhance land administration process. The descriptive research design was adopted for the study. Out of 212 persons that were identified to be affected by compulsory land acquisition by the government in the study area and administered questionnaire on, 184 of them responded and filled the questionnaire, representing 94.4% response rate. The information obtained were analysed using descriptive statistical tools such as frequency distribution, mean score ratings, mean deviations, and Relative Importance
Index (RII), and the results were presented in tables and charts. The study findings revealed that majority of affected landowners were males (79.3%), with majority of them between the ages of between 31-50 years (74.4%), majority are married (88.6%), and farming appears to be the dominant occupation among the affected landowners (61.4%). The findings also revealed that most of the affected landowners have lived in the village for more than 11 years (85.9%), (69%) of them inherited their lands, and a significant portion of the respondents (74.5%) are dissatisfied with their resettled location. The findings also indicated widespread dissatisfaction
with the adequacy of services provided in the relocated location. Most services, including education, healthcare, electricity, sanitation, and garbage collection, are rated as inadequate, which could significantly impact the well-being and quality of life of the residents. With respect to respondents’satisfaction with land acquisition process in the study area, and the effectiveness of the process, the study reveals that processes like the enumeration process, adequacy of compensation sum, and assessment of the structure process exhibit significant dissatisfaction among respondents, as reflected in their low mean scores and negative mean deviations, and therefore were ranked ineffective as well. On factors affecting land acquisition process in the study area, factors such as: Inaccurate enumeration of assets, under assessment of structures
and economic trees, Difficulty in identifying claimants, Lack of full participation of indigenous stakeholders, and Lack of Strong legal framework for protecting the land rights of local communities were ranked high; while factors such as: Lack of good resettlement plans, Lack of clear ownership rights to land, Lack of institutional framework for fair compensation, Lack of provision for injurious affections, Lack of political continuity, Lack of infrastructure in resettlement location, Inadequacy of compensation, Overlapping jurisdictions and mandates between state and traditional authorities, Lack of awareness of land related laws, Undocumented lands, and Introduction of fictitious claimants were mildly ranked, and Lack of fund, Late Payment of compensation, and Attitude of the people were ranked low. The study concluded that
focus should be on strengthening legal frameworks and increasing stakeholder participation to ensure a more equitable and efficient land acquisition process.
Keywords: Land Acquisition, Compensation, Resettlement, Dissatisfaction, Stakeholders, Legal Framework, Enumeration
Description
Keywords
Land Acquisition, Compensation, Resettlement, Dissatisfaction, Stakeholders, Legal Framework, Enumeration
Citation
Kate Turabia