Post-Compensation Challenges of Compulsory Acquisition in Nigeria: Insights from the Second Niger Bridge Project (Published)
This study interrogated the compulsory acquisition and compensation as tools for advancing public infrastructure in Nigeria, but which often generates complex challenges that persist long after initial payments, as exemplified in the second Niger Bridge project. It highlighted inadequacies in Nigeria’s post compensation framework leaving displaced persons and affected communities struggling to recover socially, economically and psychologically. The objective was to investigate this post compensation challenges. An empirical method drawing on geospatial analysis, administrative records and field verification was adopted. Findings revealed significant disparities between compensation paid and the prevailing market values of acquired properties, with losses reportedly reaching 28.6% in Obosi and 57.9% in Atani. It was further noted that compensation delays ranging from 28 to 68 months had eroded livelihoods, disrupting farming, trading, and education. Replacement and restitution measures were described as inadequate, with only 25.3% of affected boreholes and 33.3% of damaged schools restored, while resettlement housing completion remained below 50% across all sites. The study reported severe socioeconomic dislocation: 71% of Oko Amakom farmers abandoned agriculture, 68% of Atani residents migrated for employment, and school enrolments in Okwe/Oko-Amakom declined by 46.6%. Psychosocial distress was also highlighted, with Asaba-Okwe communities recording 60 cases of depression, and access to legal redress remaining limited, as less than 30% of disputes were resolved and only 20.9% of displaced households accessed legal aid. Overall, the findings emphasized that Nigeria’s current compensation system, while addressing acquisition, failed to guarantee effective restitution, livelihood recovery, and social stability for displaced communities. The study therefore recommended the implementation of a more inclusive and equitable compensation framework, supported by institutional reforms, to ensure that infrastructure development does not perpetuate vulnerability and impoverishment among affected populations.
Keywords: Compensation, Compulsory acquisition, Displacement, Infrastructure, resettlement
Residents’ Satisfaction with Infrastructural Facilities Provision in Housing Estate Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria (Published)
The emphasis of this paper is to assess residents’ satisfaction with infrastructural facilities provision in housing estate Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria, with a view to improve a level of satisfaction with infrastructures provided. The study adopts survey design using quantitative approach and data were collected through questionnaire survey from 500 housing unit, data were systematically selected from target population in housing estate Lafia. The data collected was subjected to descriptive with mean ranking. The study observed that the residents’ satisfaction with provision of drainages facilities, provision of electricity facilities, and provision of portable water supply facilities provision of road networks and Sewage and solid waste management facilities ranked first fifth respectively and they were found to be moderately satisfied in there provision. While provision of health facilities and provision of market facilities were provided in low level in the study area with low mean scores ranked at nine to ten respectively. The study recommended that the government should upgrade existing market or improve infrastructure in existing market, including proper sanitation, waste management to ease the situation of market facilities in the study area. The study recommended that the Government should engage local communities in the planning and development of these facilities to ensure they meet their specific needs.
Keywords: Housing, Infrastructure, Provision, Satisfaction, estate, residents