ABSTRACT
This study is concerned with identifying and determining individual owners or occupiers of the parcels of land to be inundated by the dam reservoir of Gada Benye Irrigation-cum-Water Supply Project in Kaduna State. The Research was concerned mainly with the: - 1. Demarcation of the highest flood level of the reservoir. 2. Recording information for assessment of compensations for farms, economic trees and buildings which will be inundated and information for rehabilitations, resettlement or relocation of affected communities. The nature and types of resettlement philosophies are highlighted. The evolution of land tenure systems in the Northern and Southern States is viewed and the issue of compensation for land compulsorily acquired by Government as provided in the Land Use Act is dealt with. Land tenure, acquisistions, transfer and Cadastral Survey Systems in Kaduna State are considered and a theoretical framework is established in order to appreciate prevailing land matters at the Benye dam reservoir. Fieldwork involved tracing of contour line along the highest flood level, connection surveys for purpose of horizontal control extension points; perimeter traverse and levelling for demarcating and establishing horizontal and vertical control points; and finally, Land Tenure or Claim Survey for determining land ownership, rights to land, use of land, occupiers and users. On analyses of the data the following major findings are pertinent:- 1. 6 control extension points were established. 2. l82 property beacons were established. These can serve as horizontal control extension points for future surveys. 3- Ownership or acquisition of farmlands are largely through inheritance, gifts or purchase. Inheritance invariably leads to fragmentation of land. 4. Villages to be submerged by the dam are lienye, Barkiya, liirchi and Rawayan. 5- A total of 1,535 farm holdings were recorded covering an area of about 1,559-811 hectares. 6. Types and numbers of economic trees of each farm was recorded in the register and entitlement for each farmer computed. The total amount of money required for compensation (in order to extinguish customary/statutory rights of occupancy) was computed but figures were not published for security reasons. Finally, the current provisions of the Land Use Act are grossly inadequate and would have to be reviewed drastically.