Land Use Act: Governors Should Emulate Uba Sani, Says HURIWA

 

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has said that Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has demonstrated a humane, constitutional, and rights-based approach in exercising his powers under the Land Use Act.

In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA commended the governor’s handling of compensation for citizens affected by government infrastructure projects.

The association specifically praised the recent compensation paid to households affected by the 15-kilometre Ring Road project stretching from Danbushiya Junction to Danhono 2 Junction in Millennium City.

According to HURIWA, the gesture has set a commendable standard for balancing the demands of infrastructure development with the constitutional rights, dignity, and economic well-being of citizens whose properties are acquired for public purposes.

The association particularly applauded Governor Sani’s declaration that “public interest can never become a justification for injustice” and that development cannot be considered meaningful if it imposes hardship without compassion or pursues progress without fairness.

“These principles ought to become the minimum standard by which every governor in Nigeria exercises the enormous powers conferred by the Land Use Act,” Onwubiko stated.

He argued that although the Land Use Act empowers state governments to acquire land for overriding public interest, such authority must never be exercised arbitrarily or in ways that impoverish citizens by dispossessing them of their homes, businesses, or ancestral lands without prompt, adequate, and fair compensation.

“Public interest and the constitutional right to property are not mutually exclusive. Responsible governance demands that both interests be carefully balanced,” he added.

HURIWA recalled that compulsory acquisition of land has remained one of the most contentious aspects of governance in Nigeria for decades.

“Across several states of the federation, thousands of citizens have allegedly been deprived of their landed assets through government acquisitions without receiving humane treatment or commensurate compensation.

“Reports of such experiences have emerged from states including Lagos, Anambra, and even Kaduna under the immediate past administration, leaving many affected families to bear enormous financial and emotional burdens.”

The association noted that Governor Sani has demonstrated that governments can pursue ambitious infrastructure projects without sacrificing justice, compassion, and respect for citizens’ rights.

It stated that the administration’s decision to slow aspects of the Ring Road project to allow for a transparent assessment of affected properties before compensation was paid reflects a commendable commitment to fairness and accountability.

HURIWA also applauded the governor’s assurance that no citizen of Kaduna State would be dispossessed of property without fair and adequate compensation.

According to the statement, the distribution of compensation cheques to 122 affected households, as well as the disclosure that more than N3 billion has been paid to households affected by various infrastructure projects, underscores an approach to governance anchored on justice rather than expediency.

The association urged all state governors to emulate this model by institutionalising transparent compensation mechanisms, engaging affected communities before compulsory land acquisition, and ensuring that every citizen whose property is acquired in the public interest receives prompt, adequate, and equitable compensation in accordance with the Constitution and the principles of natural justice.

HURIWA maintained that governments earn greater legitimacy and public trust when development projects are pursued with fairness, empathy, and respect for the rule of law.

“Sustainable development can only thrive where citizens are treated as partners in progress rather than casualties of it,” the statement read in part.

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