Assessment of environmental effect of landuse conversion in Minna, Niger state, Nigeria

Abstract

Land use change patterns are the result of the complex interactions between man and his physical environment. Specifically, land use conversion occurs when a particular land is changed from the use that was originally allocated as a result of invasion and succession. The study investigated the reasons for and level of conversion of land use in Minna and its environmental implications. The study area were Old Airport road, Hospital Road, Kuta Road, Ogbomosho Road and Lagos road. Data for the study were gathered through questionnaire administration to 350 randomly selected property owners in the study areas out of which 324 questionnaires were successfully completed and used for the study. The findings revealed that traffic congestion, shortage of housing and inadequate infrastructure were responsible for land use conversion in the study area. Therefore the study calls for review of Minna master plan, imposition of fines on landlords that converted the use of their properties without following appropriate procedure and increased funding of planning authority.

Key words: Landuse, Conversion, Environmental and Housing.