Asian Review of Environmental and Earth Sciences ISSN: 2313-8173 Vol. 1, No. 3, 51-55, 2014 http://www.asianonlinejournals.com/index.php/AREES 51 An Evaluation of Physical Planning Inputs in the Process of Resettling the Inhabitants of Flood Plain Areas of River Niger, Niger State Abubakar, A.N. 1 --- Suleiman, Y. M. 2 1 Department of Urban and Regional Planning, School of Environmental Studies, Niger State Polytechnic, Zungeru, Nigeria 2 Laboratory of Remote Sensing and Meteorology, Department of Geography, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria Abstract This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License Asian Online Journal Publishing Group 1. Introduction The flood plains of River Niger and Kaduna covers about 200 square kilometer. There are 41 settlements scattered within the area with fishing as their means of livelihood. They fall under one district Head which is divided into 4 village are [1] Table-1. Existing settlement Hierarchy Village Head Area Settlement No Of Villages Household Population Functional Hierarchy Order of settlement Muregi 21 1335 District Headquarters 1 Sunlati 10 874 Village Head Dangi 7 680 Village Head 2 Gazhe 3 252 Village Head Total 41 3,141 Source: Niger State Government Resettlement Scheme [1]. The compounds range between 30 m x 35m to 70 to 75m (table2) Table-2. Sampled compound Sizes observed in the affected area Compound Dimension Observed No Of Household % Distribution 30m x 35m 20 20 40m x 45m 22 22 50m x 55m 47 47 60m x 65m 8 8 70m x 75m 3 3 Source: field survey, 2000. Table shows 47% of the compound survey has 50m x 55m. This study evaluates the physical planning input in the process of resettling the victims of the flood plain of River Niger and Kaduna, by the Niger state Government. Evaluation studies of resettlement programmes in African countries have tended to focus on socio-economic considerations and less on physical planning, knowledge of which is useful for promoting programme success. A number of criteria were adopted in the method of evaluation. These were the regional context of the resettlement site; conveniences and adequacy of the site for resettlement; nature of housing delivery for the resettles; and the production base of the new villages. The outcome of the evaluation of the inputs showed that some aspects have shown the potential to influence the success of the programme, such as the location and layout design and the inadequacy of land for residential and farm activities. The study made an attempt to suggest some physical planning corrective measures that will assist the success of the programme, which are captured in the concluding part of the report. Keywords: Evaluation, Physical planning input, Criteria, Resettlement, Corrective measures. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Asian Review of Environmental and Earth Sciences, 2014, 1(3): 51-55 52 In recent times, the areas have been threatened by flood annually as a result of Kainji, Jebba and Shiroro Dam constructions over the two Rivers. This has disrupted the intensive fishing activities. The people have now resulted to farming as a compliment to fishing. Average farm size of the farmers as observed is presented on Table 3. Table-3. Average Farm size distribution Average Farm Size (Hectares) No of Respondent % Distribution 1.5 25 4 2.5 79 13 3.5 495 83 Total 600 100 Source: field Survey 2000 From the above, the farm size distribution is an evidence of small - scale farming. The phenomenon of constant flooding has often washed away homes, farmlands, fish ponds and other commercial facilities as well as displaced the flood plain community. This intimated the Niger State government and initiated resettling the victims, at suitable locations away from prone plains 2. Procedures and Physical Planning Input Physical Planning is concerned primarily with orderly and efficient organization of space [2]. In resettlement programmes, it enhances the coordination of all forms of developmental activities by making the fullest and most effective use of available resources [3]. It covers aspect ranging from activities in site selection, site design, land use planning, housing and facilities provision, etc. The physical planning input in the Niger flood plain resettlement programme include, site selection, site design, land acquisition and housing provision. The analysis of these inputs was done to establish a base for the evaluation. Site selection:- Two sites were selected, new Muregi and Chekugi sites. The Muregi site covered an area of 136.8 hectares of land and Chekugi site has an area of 163.2 hectares of land [1]. The two sites fall within the same geographical region. With particular reference to the Niger State capability Map, the selected areas are blessed with good environmental conditions that support the cultivation of both cash and food crops. It has nearly level to gently sloping topography conducive for settlement development. Site Design: Two layout plans (proposed Muregi and Chekugi plans) were designed for the two sites (fig 1 & 2) Muregi plan adopted grid iron pattern with integrated hierarchical pattern of roads with 472 uniform plots sizes of 15m by 30m, and covers an area of 136.8 hectares of land with residential plots occupying 21.24 hectares of land and 115.56 hectares for utility, facility services. The proposed Chekugi plan, adopted curvilinear design concept and served with integrated hierarchical pattern of road with residential plots occupying 21.15 and 142.05 hectares for utility, facility services. The total land acquired for the whole programme both for residential and agricultural purposes is 300 hectares and 5505 hectares respectively. Housing Delivery: - The resettlement committee proposed 4 options for the community housing provision. These include:- (i) Gradual construction of dwelling units for the victims by the government (ii) Construction of all dwelling units from foundations to floor slap level and allow beneficiaries to continue to finish (iii) Allocation of plots to beneficiaries and supplemented with building materials. (vi) Allocation of funds and plots to beneficiaries to reduce too much government involvement. Option one was adopted by the government. Under the option the government is to provide each of the 3,141 household with 3 bedroom semi detached housing unit. 3. Methods The 41 settlement affected were ranked into 4 classes (table 1). All the villages in each of the classes were assigned a number. In each class, 3 villages were selected randomly using table of random numbers and questionnaire administered to their inhabitants. 1,000 questionnaires were administered among the selected villages with the help of field assistant. The questionnaire was design to retrieve information on the pattern of socio- economic activities of the people, their opinion on the resettlement programme. Numbers of criteria were adopted in the evaluation. These were limited to regional context of site; conveniences and adequacy of the site, nature of housing delivery and the production base of New Villages. 4. Results and Discussion The Regional Context of the Site: - Two variables of sites are considered here:- Site specific attributes and infrastructure support attributes. The site specific is the physical properties of sites, such as terrain, soil fertility; etc as support base for development purposes, while infrastructure support is the existing developments in terms of transportation network, utility, facility and services etc. The terrain in the old settlements areas is generally flat on a height of about 100 meters above sea level and a slope gradient of less than 2% while the new site lie on a gently sloping topography, on a height of 380 meters above sea level and a slope angle of over 4% (fig 3). Table-3. Slope Categories Land Uses Slope standard (%) Field Observation slope angle Old Site New Site Difficult Terrain for development 0 – 1% L es s th an 2 % M o re th an 2 % Recreational facilities 1 – 3% Intensive Activities 1 – 4% High Density Residential 1 – 5% Source: Planning standard and field survey, 2000. Asian Review of Environmental and Earth Sciences, 2014, 1(3): 51-55 53 In terms of soil fertility, the old sites are characterized by loamy and clay sediments deposits, good for fadama development under mechanical cultivation, Frequent flooding is its main constraints. Soil of the new site have deep, well drain to medium fertile soil, capable of sustaining cereal crops and perennial crops with no physical limitation to mechanical cultivations. Comparing these variables, soil of the new sites could be accepted. In terms of accessibility, the old sites are only accessible by footpath during the dry season, while new sites are accessible through the two dominant regional roads. From the assessment, the new sites could be appropriate for the resettlement of the victims. This was confirm through the opinion survey (Table 4) Table-4. Households responses to the selected sites Opinion Household Responses % Distribution Like it 730 73% Dislike it 140 14% Indifferent 130 13% Total 1000 100 Source: field Survey 2000 The responses therefore is indicative of people willingness to accept the new sites Conveniences and Adequacy of the site:- There are 3,141 households with an estimated population of 26,748 people in the existing settlements of the flood plain (table 5) Table-5. Present and projected population to year 2010 Name of Village Area Present household Population Year 2000 Estimated Population year 2000 Projected Household pop year 2000 Projected estimated pop 2010 Muregi 1,335 11, 543 1,669 14,429 Sunlati 874 7,768 1,093 9,710 Dangi 680 5,321 850 6,651 Gazhe 252 2,116 315 2,645 Total 3,141 26,748 3,927 33,435 Source: field survey, 2000 A linear measurement of a sample of 100 household compound plots was made to determine the sizes of plots by individuals household (see table 2). The observed result shows that 47% of the household have average compound plot sizes of 50m by 55 meters. Theses size accommodates larger families together with their future needs and activities. Only 30m x 15m each were proposed and sites designed for Muregi and Chekugi. Considering the present population, this is grossly inadequate if all the communities are to be relocated, hence neglect in variation of family size. Nature of housing Delivery: The four proposed options were assessed to determine which would meet the requirements of the victims. The variables uses are: psychological, economic, political, cultural and social functions of a house. One hundred present (100%) weights were allocated to each option proportionally to their roles in a resettlement scheme on a ration 5:4:3:2:1 among the 4 option in descending order of their importance (table 6) Table-6. Showing the evaluation of alternative option for housing S/N Option Psychological Cultural Economical Political Social Total 1. Gradual construction of all the dwelling units for the victims 0 0 26.7 20 0 46.7% 2. Construction of all dwelling units from foundation to flow slap level and allow beneficiaries to continue to finish 33.3 13.3 0 20 0 66.6% 3. Allocation of plots to beneficiaries and supplemented with building materials 33.3 13.3 26.7 0 6.7 80% 4. Allocation of funds and plots to beneficiaries to reduce too much government involvement 33.3 13.3 26.7 20 6.7 100% Source: field survey, 2000 [1]. The above shows that option four (4) will be more realistic as against option one adopted by the government. Essence is to allow them build houses of their choice and maintain their cultural values. This was confirm through opinion survey about government plan to build houses for them (table 7) Asian Review of Environmental and Earth Sciences, 2014, 1(3): 51-55 54 Table-7. Household responses to the option adopted by government Opinion Household Responses % Distribution Welcome it 26 2.6 Dislike it 967 96.7 Indifference 7 0.7 Total 1000 100 Source: field survey, 2000 The level of response above is an indicative of people opposing the plan by government to provide houses. The production base of the resettlement:- Their production base is Agriculture farming is the second production activity after the disruption of fishing activities as a result of flooding. Average farm size observed shows that 83% have an average of 3.5 hectares of land (see table 3). The committee has proposed and acquired 5505 hectares of farm for the scheme, representing 1.8 hectares of land per person. This is inadequate if we are to consider the present population and its projection to year 2010. The implication of this shall be shortage of farming lands that may lead to land crisis and acute poverty as the communities are resettled as the case in Agazera and Volta Dam Schemes [4]. 5. Summary and Physical Planning Proposal The study revealed some physical planning lapses in the process of resettlement, such as inadequacy in the size of land acquired for the resettlement and the option adoption for the proposed housing provision. There is therefore, the need for appropriate corrective measures for the success of the programme. This is to ensure a successful resettlement programme for the people. The following attempts were made to estimate both the present and future requirement of landmass for both residential and agriculture purposes. Increase the residential land Areas:- To achieve this, attempt was made to determine land for residential purposes, both for the present and the future requirement. This was based on the observed average ratio of compound sizes of the household made on (table.2). This is translated below. Table-8. Population and residential/compound size ratio estimate between 2000 -2010 Name of Villages 2000 2010 Number of household Observed compound Size (0.275Ha) Projection at 2.5% Population Residential Land Muregi 1335 367.1 1669 459.0 Sunlati 874 240.1 1093 300.6 Dangi 680 187.0 850 233.8 Gazhe 252 69.3 315 86.6 Total 3,141 863.7 3,927 1,080 Source: Field Survey, 2000 The result shows that the resettlement communities would require 863.7 hectares of land to start with and 1080 hectares of land in 2010 AD as projected. This is against 300 hectares proposed by the resettlement committee. In housing Provision, the option adopted by the government will not meet the desires of the beneficiaries based on the result of the evaluation (table 6). Thus, option 4 will be more realistic, which will allow them to build houses of their taste, choice and maintaining their cultural values. Increase the Agricultural Land Areas:- Agriculture is the production base of the community. An attempt was made to estimate present and futures requirement of agriculture land. This was based on the average farm size ratio observed in the flood plain area (table 3). This is translated below: Table-9. Population and Agricultural Land size ratio estimate between the years 2000 – 2010 Name of Villages 2000 2010 Number of household Observed farm ration Population and farm sizes projection Population projection at 2.5% Farm sizes projection at 3.5ha Muregi 1335 4671.5 1669 5841.5 Sunlati 874 3059.0 1093 3825.5 Dangi 680 2380.0 850 2975.0 Gazhe 252 882.0 315 1102.5 Total 3,141 10,993.5 3,927 13,744.5 Source: field survey 2000. From the above table, 10,993.5 hectares, of land is required at the start with 13744.5 hectares projected to 2010 as against 5505 proposed by the communities 6. Concluding Remarks The government initiative to resettle the people of Niger flood plain is a welcome development and it is worth cherishing. How to accomplish these goals remains a great challenging to many discipline amongst which is physical planning. The evaluation of the project has revealed a number of lapses relating to physical planning which if not corrected will result to failure of the scheme. A number of problems have been raised and corrective measures proffered, but the great deal is whether these corrective measures will be implemented. Nevertheless, the research has established facts, which will be useful for success of the Niger flood plain resettlement scheme Asian Review of Environmental and Earth Sciences, 2014, 1(3): 51-55 55 References [1] Niger State Government Resettlement Scheme, "Report of the committee on the resettlement scheme," 2000. [2] A. Faludi, A reader in planning theory. London: Pergamon, 1973. [3] H. W. Donald, Urban and regional and municipal public policy. New York: Herper and Brothers, 1958. [4] R. Chambers, The Volta resettlement experience. London: Pall Mail Press, Limited, 1970. Bibliography [1] A. N. Abubakar, "An evaluation of the muregi resettlement programme on the flood plain of River, Niger State," Unpublished M.sc Thesis, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, ABU, Zaria, 2004. [2] E. Arthur, Urban planning concepts, standards and symbols. Lagos: Amtitop Books, Nigeria Limited, 1997. 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