Issues Of Compensation Payment Of Indigenous Settlers For Public Interest – ESV Chinelo Nwosu

An Estate Surveyor and Valuer ESV Chinelo Nkiruka Nwosu mnivs said the issues of compensation payment of Indigenous Settlers for public interest is very important.

ESV Nwosu made the disclosure yesterday in Abuja .
She noted that when government acquires Land for Public interest, indigenous communities are often mostly affected. Compensation becomes complex because of the cultural, spiritual and communal affinity to land which may not entirely be economic.
Below are some issues associated with compensation in Nigeria:

Land Ownership and Legal recognition:
Most indigenous settlers hold land under customary or communal systems not formal land titles which the Government may not legally recognize. It lacks documentation which makes compensation claims difficult and the Land may also be declared a “State Land” without consent.
For instance: In a country like Nigeria, disputes often arise when Land in rural areas is acquired under Land Use Act of 1978 without proper consultation with indigenous settlers.

Inadequate Unfair Valuation
Most valuation for compensation in Nigeria is based on cost of replacement of structures affected and rates applied to crops/economic trees. This does not take care of the cultural and spiritual value of land, loss of livelihood is usually under valued, and it may also not reflect longterm economic loss and inflation on delayed payment,
Lack of Free prior and Informed consent(FPIC)
Most times, the indigenous populations are not consulted before projects begin, they do not have full information of the project nor have right to accept and reject projects. Consultations may be rushed at this stage and language barriers may also prevent understanding .
The decisions are made by Government without the community agreement which violates the United Nations Declaration on Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) with emphasis on FPIC(Free, Prior and Informed Consent),
Gender in inequality in compensation:
In many indigenous systems, land is held by male heads and households. Women who farm may receive nothing as compensation directly likewise widows and unmarried are especially vulnerable and Cultural and spiritual and cultural Loss Problem :
Land acquired for public interest may contain sacred forests, burial ground and ancestral Heritage sites. Money cannot compensate for loss of identity, tradition and spiritual connection.

She also presented possible solutions to the issues raised here are :
Legal recognition of customary Land rights,
Strict implementation of FPIC,
Community based resettlement planning, Compensation beyond money (livelihood restoration, schools, healthcare) and
Special protection for women and vulnerable members.

She concluded stating that compensation payment of indigenous population for public interest has alot to do with human rights and social justice which must be done fairly.
“It must respect cultural identity, ensure fair economic valuation, protect community integrity and involve genuine consultation”.

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