Land Accessibility: The Burden on Socio – Economic Livelihood of Women in Akpor Clan, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria.

Abstract

The study examined the land accessibility and its attendant burden on the socio – economic livelihood of the Women in Akpor Clan in Obio/Akpor LocalGovernment Area of Rivers State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to identify the factors responsible for land use change towards lack of sustainable land access. Highlight the extent this unfavourable trend affect the Socio – Economic livelihood of women in the study Area. The sample population was 330 indigenous women of low economic standing, who most often, are involved in subsistent farming. A multi – stage probability sampling approach was utilized in the study.The primary data source entailed the use of structured questionnaire and the focus group discussions. The secondary data source is through reviewing of other pertinent research output on women access to land. The study found somewhat erratic nevertheless decisive decline in the income of the household.The pluralism of land rights remains in the hands of male folk and government institution. Also, the original occupational pursuit of farming has ceased to be important because the land use change has occupied the indigenous farmland which leads to socio – economic livelihood burden. Unemployment accounts for more than half of the active population. The women are compelled to join informal jobs in order to maintain household needs.The following recommendations are therefore made; the government should seek to be explicit as possible in determining the conditions under which the women can assert their rights. Purposeful and adequate participation is necessary in decision making for the women to have opportunity to dialogue on how best farmland can be accessed. The process of expropriation should be clear, and adequate compensation to those who own land should be encouraged. Credit programmes and savings, targeting women to upscale economic opportunity will curb the socio – economic burden experienced.

Keywords: land, accessibility, socio – economic, livelihood, women