Assessment of Claimants’ Attitudes towards Compulsory Land Acquisition and Compensation in Osogbo, Nigeria

Abstract

Comprehending the attitudes of claimants towards compulsory land acquisition and compensation is crucial in assessing the overall efficacy of the process. This exploration aids not only in gauging public sentiment but also in shaping policies and approaches that foster cooperation and equitable outcomes. This study focused on the assessment of claimants’ attitudes towards compulsory land acquisition in Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria. Data on claimants were obtained from 244 landholders whose lands were compulsorily acquired for rail track construction at Phase I, Osogbo. Frequency distribution, weighted mean scores, and factor analysis were employed to analyze the collected data in order to examine the behaviors exhibited by claimants and the factors contributing to those behaviors. The study revealed that the lack of a resettlement plan, inadequate time given for relocation, and insufficient compensation award to replace assets were triggers for the various behaviors exhibited by claimants. Factor analysis was used to analyse a 14-item factor instrument employed to examine the factors influencing claimants' behavioral attitudes toward compulsory land acquisition and compensation in the study area. The result yielded four distinct factors which include “Preliminary Factors leading to Inadequate Compensation” as Factor 1, "Factors Leading to Resistance by Claimants," as Factor 2, "Factors Leading to Inadequate Relay of Notices," and "Inadequacies in the provisions of the Land Use Act on Valuation Methods for Compulsory Land Acquisition and Compensation," as Factors 3 and 4 respectively. The study recommended that the Land Use Act be amended to align with present-day realities, incorporating considerations for land values and associated impacts, including the costs of claimants' relocation. This would alleviate the stress and social challenges faced by those affected by land acquisition, dousing the society tensions associated with it.