Impact of Power of Attorney Conflicts on Sustainable Compensation Assessment and Payment in Rivers State, Nigeria

The purpose of the study is to appraise the impact of conflicts of power of attorney on the sustainable compensation assessment and payment in Rivers State, Nigeria. Snowballing conflicts over powers of attorney have the potential to seriously impede the assessment and payment of compensation to claimant as well as the amount of professional fees paid to professionals involved in the assessment and compensation practices in Rivers State. The integrity of the Power of Attorney process impacts not only the beneficiaries of compensation but also broader land governance practices. Sustainability in this context refers to fair, transparent and consistent compensation practices that uphold legal and ethical standards, protect the rights of all stakeholders and ensure long-term trust in the land acquisition process. A mixed-method research approach in a case study research design was adopted. A total of 162 questionnaires were administered, with 146 retrieved, representing a response rate of 90.0%. A ten (10Nr) interview was conducted with Registered Estate Surveyors and Valuers. Both data collected were analysed using descriptive statistical tools in SPSS version 20 and a thematic content analysis approach. The study findings show that power of attorney disputes typically cause disagreements and delays in the processes related to compensation assessment and payment among professional practice members. The finding further revealed and confirmed that a high risk of inefficiency and transparency in the processes exist and puts both parties at risk of financial and legal difficulties. The study promises that the necessity of more lucid legal frameworks and procedures for resolving disputes to handle problems with powers of attorney is imperative. Hence, guarantees longer lasting and equitable results, as well as improving or reducing litigations among professional members especially on the fees payment and other stakeholders for decision making on compensation assessment and payment issues.