LAND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT IN THE SECURITY OF PROPERTY RIGHTS IN AKURE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

The study is a survey type conducted in Akure, Nigeria focusing on Land information management in the security of property rights. Akure, Ondo State capital was chosen for this study for the following reasons: Institutions vested with land information management are located in Akure; the bulk of the professional users of spatial land information are consentrated in Akure and the city presents a richer data on land and residential property than any other part of the State. The target population for the study included all residential property owners, the professionals using land information and ministry in charge of land information management. The study stratified Akure into three zones – (low, medium and high zones) – based on population density. The sampling frame for Akure city and residential properties were based on the 2006 population census figures for the local government area (LGA), as well as, the house census count for the area which were 353,211 (population) and 87,351(house count) respectively. The sample size for the residential property and property owners were determined by estimating an appropriate sample size of a finite population. The estimate gave sample size of 1,046 which represent 1.2% of sample frame. The professional users of land information in the study area were 148 and all were sampled. Four (4) directors /head of departments were sampled in the ministry. The instrument used for data collection was structured questionnaires administered to the respondents in each zone. For the data analysis, independent T- Test, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Logistic Regression were employed in assessing the effects of socio – economic characteristic of property owners on access to secure residential land title. Bonferroni Post Hoc Test of multiple comparisons among the different population density zones was conducted to identify the specific groups of difference in the level of title registration among three zones which ANOVA could not ascertain. Weighted mean score of criterion on 5 point Likert scale was used to evaluate the satisfaction level of professional land information users on the performance of land information system and title registration process. Factor analysis (principal component) was employed to analyse the constraints associated with access to secure property title registration in Akure land registry. The computer programming was done using PhP Hyper text, MySQL, web server with transfer control protocol / internet protocol (TCP/IP) and file transfer protocol (FTP) were employed to design a web based application software for the management of land information in Akure land registry. The programme was implemented using a wide area network and result of the prototype was simulated using life data. The output of the programme was able to make storage of land data to be available in a computer database. This enhance speedy retrival of land information at faster time and eliminate manual handling of land information. The programme equally made it possible for estate surveyors and other allied professional to spend lesser time on property information search in the land registry. The information generated from the output was more reliable and could not be easily manipulated by third party. The study discovered that the mode of operation in Akure land registry was purely on analogue system. The use of internet services and e-land software for land record management were non-existing. Education and annual income were revealed to be the only socio-economic variables that were significant in accessibility to secure land in Akure. The evaluation of the end users satisfaction on Akure land registry revealed unsatisfactory performance. The study also identified lack of automation of working process, manual record keeping process, less training and manpower development, improper organisation structure, delay and slow procedures as the major constraints to secure property title rights and land information management in Akure. The study recommended the use of land information database software as proposed in this study to solve most of the challenges identified. This has the merit of speed on land information retrieval, accuracy of information, avoidance of abuse and corruption. Finally, it will aid government in having access to reliable land data information to support decision making.