Payment of compensation key to national development -ESV Akasseh Mathias

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

An Estate Surveyor and Valuer, ESV Akasseh Mathias, has said timely payment of compensation is critical to land acquisition and national development.

Mathias stated this in Abuja while explaining the procedures involved in assessing compensation for land acquired by government or allocated to private individuals and corporate organisations.

He explained that compensation assessment involves determining the value of crops, economic trees and other improvements on land acquired for public or private development. Under the Land Use Act of 1978, land in Nigeria is vested in the Governor of each state to hold in trust for the common use and benefit of the people.

According to him, where government requires land for development, the acquisition process is initiated through the appropriate land authorities. Planners design the cadastral area, land surveyors demarcate the affected portions, while estate surveyors and valuers assess properties and agricultural improvements for compensation purposes.

Mathias said the assessment involves consultations with community leaders and affected land users, followed by physical inspection and measurement of crops and economic trees within the acquisition area.

He said crops commonly assessed include yam, cassava, maize, beans, sugarcane and groundnuts, while economic trees include mango, cashew, guava, palm, pear, locust bean, shea butter, cocoa, orange and coconut.

After the field assessment, he explained, surveyors calculate the portion of land cultivated by each affected farmer and apply approved consolidated rates to determine the amount payable. For example, at an approved rate of N500,000 per hectare, a farmer cultivating 2,250 square metres, equivalent to 0.225 hectares, would receive N112,500.

Similarly, where a mango tree attracts N25,000, 20 trees would amount to N500,000, while 15 cashew trees at N15,000 each would amount to N225,000 and 13 guava trees at N13,000 each would amount to N169,000. The total compensation in the example would therefore be N804,000.

Mathias added that the same process applies where land is allocated to private individuals or corporate organisations. The beneficiary may be responsible for paying compensation before taking possession, while in some cases government may make the payment and recover the cost from the allottee.

He said the final assessment is presented in a tabulated report showing affected farmers, items identified, applicable rates and amounts due, with beneficiaries acknowledging receipt.

Mathias stressed that proper assessment and payment of compensation are important to ensure affected land users are appropriately compensated while development projects proceed without unnecessary disputes.