Assessment of the Resettlement Problems of Communities in Gbajibo/Muwo Ward in Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

Abstract Resettlement schemes are not new or recent phenomena in Nigeria. The New Bussa (Niger State) Yelwa Yauri (Kebbi State) and Kubwa (FCT, Abuja) are some of the major resettlement schemes carried out in the late 1960s and 1980s in Nigeria. This paper investigate the problems encountered by Communities in Gbajibo/Muwo Ward, Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State, Nigeria in their resettlement areas following the construction of the Jebba dam in 1984. Interview and observation methods were used to collect data. A total of One Hundred and Twenty people were interviewed; making it ten per settlement and observation of physical infrastructure and the buildings was carried out throughout the twelve settlements. Statistical analysis was carried out to generate the mean and percentages. The study findings show that the communities were resettled in sub-standard and inadequate housing structures without dependable source of portable water, electricity, health facilities and other basic infrastructure. The end result is that the people are only merely relocated but never resettled. Other findings include collapse of the rural economy and associated environmental problems such as soil erosion and upstream flooding. It is therefore recommended that then National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) and other Government Authorities responsible for the resettlement meet their obligations and in future, communities to be affected should be involved in all stages of future resettlement schemes.