Amend Land Use Act-Right of Way – IRWA

The International Right of Way Association (IRWA) Nigeria, Chapter 84, has called for the review of the Land Use Act as it relates to matters of acquisition and compensation in Nigeria.

 

President, IRWA, Esv. Kenechukwu Onuora, who made the call when IRWA organized an educational seminar in Abuja, said our laws presently negates against best practices and emerging issues in right of way acquisition and compensation.

 

He said the Nigerian chapter of IRWA, inaugurated in 2013, is the first chapter in West Africa and the second in Africa after South Africa and said the vision of IRWA is to create awareness, trust and confidence in right of way professionals who contribute to building a better world and has united the efforts of members towards professional development, strong ethics and improved service to employers and the public.

 

Chairman of the occasion, Esv. Gersh Henshaw, who led credence to the call for the repeal or amendment of the Land Use Act, said instead of paying affected persons the market value of their land they are  paid only the rental value of one year and only for improvements on the land.

Several estate surveyors at the event agreed that market forces should be allowed to play in matters of compensation and called for more awareness on how to acquire the requisite skills on how to confront and proffer solutions on right of way acquisition and compensation.