The Federal Government, in collaboration with the World Bank and the Ogun State Estate Surveyors and Valuers, is set to establish equitable compensation rates for land acquisition, with a focus on crops and economic trees. This initiative was highlighted by Bodinga Aminu, the National Coordinator of the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), during a visit to the Bureau of Lands and Survey in Abeokuta.
Aminu emphasized RAAMP’s role in constructing rural access roads funded by the World Bank, alongside state-funded projects. He stressed the need to update the compensation guidelines, which were last revised 16 years ago, to reflect current realities. The goal is to prevent disputes and ensure that affected individuals receive adequate compensation, thereby supporting state development efforts.
“The mandate extends beyond road construction to ensuring just compensation for affected parties, safeguarding livelihoods, and minimizing litigation,” Aminu stated.
Ms. Temitope Adewunmi from the Ogun State Bureau of Lands and Survey said, “Our purpose here is to introduce a framework for assessing the value of crops and economic trees, which are not regularly traded commodities like houses. This framework aims to guide fair compensation practices during land acquisition.”
Michael Ilesanmi, the World Bank Senior Social Development Specialist, underscored the critical role of valuers in land administration, emphasizing the need for robust land rights protection to attract investors to Ogun State’s burgeoning sectors.
“Land holds cultural, historical, and economic significance. Proper compensation practices are crucial as Ogun State positions itself as an attractive destination for education, manufacturing, and agriculture investments,” Ilesanmi remarked.
Segun Fowora, the Director-General of Lands, welcomed the initiative, noting its potential to enhance transparency and cooperation between landowners and investors.
“The Bureau has faced challenges with landowners feeling undercompensated during acquisition processes. This initiative will bridge gaps and clarify benefits, including Corporate Social Responsibility impacts,” Fowora affirmed.
He expressed optimism about the review process, expecting it to streamline land access, administration, and compensation practices in Ogun State.
