The determinants of squatter development in Southern Aba Region of Nigeria

Abstract

Squatter developments are settlements predominantly composed of makeshift structures, often constructed on cheap or vacant land. Squatter development in Southern Aba Region of Nigeria constitutes nonconventional housing, constructed by the urban poor- predominantly the rural migrants and migrants from the main city of Aba, Port-Harcourt and Uyo. This study examined the determinants of squatter development in Southern Aba region with the view to ascertaining the policy options for the renewal of the region. The study adopted survey design. Both primary and secondary data were collected with the aid of structured questionnaire, measurement and observation; and from the Abia State Ministry of housing and urban planning handbooks respectively. The sample size of 400 respondents was determined from the study population of 125,257 using the Taro Yamane model for sample size determination. Cluster and systematic random sampling techniques were used to proportionately select the settlements and respondents used in the study. The reliability of the questionnaire was determined using Cronbach’s alpha which yielded a correlation co-efficient of 0.80. Data analysis was conducted with appropriate descriptive statistics using SPSS for Windows, Version 17. The study revealed the dynamics of certain factors that replicate squatter development in the study area, among which are: collapse of the agricultural economy of Abia state; weak institutional governance and low level of physical planning at the local government level; and ineffective land policies and the attendant difficulty in securing title to land. The study therefore recommends among other things, an urban renewal strategy based on attracting government institutions, agencies, and some projects outlined in the medium term expenditure framework of Abia state to the region; massive investment in agriculture; and the re-establishment of the local government system to ensure responsive governance and effective physical planning at the suburban areas.

Keywords: Squatter development, determinants, slum