INTEGRATED PUBLIC LANDS MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES AND APPLICATIONS

INTEGRATED PUBLIC LANDS MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES AND APPLICATIONS

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Land use results from man’s activities on, and in relation to land(Olomo1997) Cited in William (2005).The land use management components are planning control, land allocation and tenure, development control and land use change management. Effective land use management enhances efficiency of urban development.

 The regional development plan of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, recommended the development of satellite towns to support the Federal Capital City (FCC). The need for immediate development of Gwagwalada among the Satellite towns became apparent following the decision of the Federal Government in 1979 to allow the indigenes of the FCT to remain within the Territory. The goal of developing Gwagwalada satellite town is to support or supplement the Federal Capital City as part of the (IPA) recommendations on the implementation of the master plan for the city. Gwagwalada master plan was prepared by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), in 1980. According to the Gwagwalada plan, the land use structure of the town is to consist of three districts which are further organized into neighborhoods and industrial land uses.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM:

The Land Use Decree (Now Act) of 1978 was promulgated purportedly to enable Nigerians have quality access to land and to be able to enjoy not only the land itself but the natural fruits thereon. The fact however is that there is no certainty as to the extent to which the Act has affected property development in FCT Urban. The Act aimed at assisting in the acquisition of land by individuals of all categories which will help in boosting the economy of the country. It seems however that the government’s promulgation of the Land Use Act has impacted negatively on the development of properties in the country as exemplified by the situation in Abuja the study area.

1.3 RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS:

HYPOTHESIS 1: Null Hypothesis (Ho) – The Land Use did not create any problem to the ease of accessibility to land for property development in Abuja. Alternative Hypothesis (H1) – The Land Use has created problems to the ease of accessibility to land for property development in Abuja.

HYPOTHESIS 2: Null Hypothesis (Ho) – The Land Use Act has not imposed any difficulty in land acquisition for property development in Abuja. Alternative Hypothesis (H1) – The Land Use Act has imposed some difficulties on land acquisition for property development in Abuja.

1.4 THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY:

The significance of the study lies to a great extent in setting a stage for a more urgent and more comprehensive appraisal of the effects of Land Use Act on private property development in Nigeria particularly in Abuja Urban. In addition to this the study will also go a long way in educating the government on whether to review the Land Use Act or not in order to accelerate the development of properties in the country

This work will also be of importance to all those who may carry out further studies on Land Use Act among whom are:

a. Research students for whom it will open an avenue for further research work.

b. Land administrators and policy makers to whom it will give a general view of the problems and thereby pave way of reviewing the Land Use Act in order to facilitate development in the country.

c. Property Developers, for whom it will raise great hope for better future access to land which will promote the development of more property stock.

d. The indigenes of Abuja who may now find it easier to participate in land matters for more effective property and overall development of the state.

1.5 THE LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY:

 Data collection proved the most difficult aspect of this research work not only as a result of the uncooperative attitude of many respondents sampled but because of repeated journeys made to administer the instruments due to absence in the house of the samples when visited. Recourse to secondary data was also affected to an extent by non-availability of appropriate study materials. The greatest problem was however posed by finance.