Assessment Of Compensation For Compulsory Acquisition of Land in Delta State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Government all over the world are responsible for providing public infrastructure; these infrastructure are built on land, which is often scarce, this they enact laws to regulate land administration and make land acquisition easier. However, compensation is required to compensate the expropriated owners for the economic, social and emotional loss they suffer due to the loss of their lands. This study adopted the survey research approach on the assessment of compensation for compulsory acquisition in Delta State. This study approach examine the level of awareness of the legal framework for compulsory acquisition of land in Delta State. This study also evaluate the adequacy of compensation rates for compulsory acquisition of land in Delta State. Data were sourced through primary and secondary sources, which included questionnaires, interviews, and review of published scholarly work. These data x-rayed the opinions of Estate Surveyors and Valuers at Delta State’s ministry of land and housing, as well as expropriated land owners in Ughelli. A sample size of 200 expropriated land owners out of 400 respondents was selected using random sampling method from the study population, 176 of the administered questionnaires were retrieved from the respondents and a sample size of 25 questionnaires were distributed to the estate surveyors and valuers, while 22 questionnaires were retrieved from them too. The responses received were analyzed in tables using frequencies and percentages to answer the research questions formulated. The study discovered that the Land Use Act governing compensation valuation in the study area does not provide for fair and adequate compensation, and that it contradicts valuation standards. It also discovered that a large percentage of the expropriated land owners have not been compensated, and that the compensation paid to the few land owners was insufficient and not adequate. The study finally recommended that the land Use Act should be reviewed to provide for fair and adequate compensation, as well as to reflect in the international valuation standards, and that the expropriated land owners who are yet to be compensated should be paid with interes