Land Deformation In The Informal Land Sector: Advocating For Stakeholders’ Intervention

Abstract

Land deformation is any process that has an impact on the size, shape or even the volume of an area. It is usually proportional to the type of stress exerted on the land. This paper aims to look into land deformation in the informal land sector thereby, advocating for the need for stakeholders' intervention in some unethical practices that induce land deformation. The paper intends to create awareness of the dangers of some unethical practices that induce it and the solutions as well. A total of 120 questionnaires were distributed among some selected literate dwellers in these communities and some physical contacts were made. Out of the questionnaires distributed, only 95 responded. These 95 filled questionnaires were used for the analysis in this study. The questionnaire comprises of questions focused on unregulated groundwater extraction, effects of the absence of a drainage system, movement of heavy-duty trucks in vulnerable areas, cattle trampling in vulnerable areas, mining of stones from vulnerable areas and deforestation. Analysis of the questionnaire results was performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The responses were subjected to principal component analysis (PCA) and the Keiser-Meyer Olkin test was used to check the sampling adequacy. It was discovered that all the matrices’ tables displayed unitary results. The unitary matrices show that the questionnaires were enough and the distributions as well as the respondents were enough for this study. However, the general results showed that uncontrollable quarrying defames the land and exposes it to erosion, 92.6% of the respondents agreed with the fact that there has been continuous felling down of trees in the communal land sector. Only about 53.2% agreed that cattle grazing is responsible for land deformation. 90.4% affirmed that there is the presence of excessive groundwater drilling in the communal land. The practice of selling, or erecting buildings or structures on susceptible paths has contributed so much to the deformation of the land as 76.9% of the respondents affirmed that. 64.2% agreed that the absence of a drainage system could cause land surface deformation. These responses explained why these landowners never paid attention to the construction of drainages before selling or leasing their lands to either developers or prospective buyers. It is therefore recommended that the government and stakeholders strictly enforce the development laws on these communities.