Land acquisition, compensation, and expropriation practices in the Sabata Town, Ethiopia

Abstract

This study investigated the factors affecting the consent of households dispossessed by industrialization to change job in Sabata Town in Central Ethiopia. Questionnaires to 205 dispossessed households, 10 focus group discussion and 19 key informants were analyzed for the study. The data collected were described using qualitative analysis and descriptive statistics. It was found that land acquisition and expropriation for industrial development is on the rise in Sabata Town. The study findings revealed that the expropriated households’ has negatively affected by the displacement action through reducing job opportunity, curtailed their subsistence farming, and contributed to upsurge in poverty. Lack of decision power, demolition of property by court decision, and dearth of clean environment were also negatively associated with the expropriated households’ to change job. The consent of the expropriated households to change job emanated from the arbitrary nature of property valuation for land acquisition for industrial development that did not offer sustainable income generation. Thus, there should be initiation of property valuation institution and creation of safe environment for the society.

Valuation, compensation and rehabilitation for expropriation and its impact on the expropriated households in Ethiopia: evidence from Debre Markos city

“…In effect, the said discussions and consultations were nominal. Similar results were achieved by Gemeda et al (2023). The absence of consultations and discussions affects the result of expropriations in which displaced households' opinion was excluded, which contradicts the expropriation laws.…”

“…For instance, Dires et al (2021) in Debre Markos city found that the displaced households were exposed to food insecurity and social and family disintegration. Another study by Gemeda et al (2023) in Sebeta town showed that the expropriation shortened subsistence farming, reduced job opportunities and contributed to increasing poverty. Because of this, the expropriation in Ethiopia runs into resistance from farmers (Fitawok et al, 2023).…”

“…The local administration did not undertake such packages because of lack of support in finance, capacity building and other logistics from the regional and federal land administration institutions and the insufficient personnel assigned for this purpose. The absence of efficient follow-ups negatively affects the livelihood of the households (Harris, 2015;Gemeda et al, 2023). Livelihood restoration is a major activity in expropriation which is mandatory under the laws.…”

“…Expropriation is considered as the most significant tool used by governments to acquire land for various activities aimed at public purposes (FAO, 2008; Woldeselasie, 2013; Persson, 2015). Expropriation may ultimately benefit society, but if it is improperly carried out, it is disruptive, leaves individuals without access to resources, homeless and landless, with no way to support themselves and gives them the impression that they have been the victims of a serious injustice (Campbell et al ., 2010; Kusiluka et al ., 2011; Alemu, 2015; Li et al ., 2017; Gemeda et al ., 2023).…”

“…The compensation given to displaced households should cover the total social costs of relocation in addition to the economic loss (Lin et al ., 2018). However, several studies in Ethiopia revealed that expropriation has not been accompanied by adequate and fair compensation, as a result, most displaced households are dissatisfied (Alemu, 2013; Ambaye, 2013; Alamineh, 2018; Admasu et al ., 2019; Dires et al ., 2021; Gemeda et al ., 2023).…”