Section 6: Investigation of land

6. Investigation of land (1) Subject to section 9, where land is likely to be acquired compulsorily and the Minister is satisfied that— (a) an investigation of the land is necessary to determine its suitability for the purpose for which it would be acquired; (b) it is not possible to obtain access to the land by private agreement; and (c) the conditions of section 8 (1) (a) and (b) of the Constitution are fulfilled, he shall give notice to that effect in 2 issues of the Gazette and in 2 issues of 2 daily newspapers, there being in each case an interval of at least 7 days between the first and second publications. L3 – 3 [Issue 1] Land Acquisition Act (2) A notice published under subsection (1) shall— (a) state the approximate extent of the land; (b) describe the boundaries of the land; (c) state the purpose for which the land is likely to be acquired; and (d) in the case of an acquisition on behalf of a person under section 5, state the name, address and occupation of the person for whom the land may be acquired. (3) On or about the day of the first publication of the notice specified in subsection (1), a copy of the notice shall be served by the authorised officer on the owner of the land likely to be acquired and on the owner of any other land that may be entered by the authorised officer for the purposes of this section. (4) Subject to subsection (6), the authorised officer or any person delegated by him may, 14 days after the date of the last publication of a notice under subsection (1), in relation to any land specified in the notice— (a) enter, survey and take or mark levels; (b) dig, bore into or take samples of the subsoil; (c) set out boundaries and the intended line of any work proposed to be done; (d) place marks and cut trenches; (e) if necessary, cut down and clear away any standing crop, fence, tree or bush; and (f) with the concurrence of the Central Water Authority, set up and maintain gauges in any stream or watercourse. (5) For the purpose of exercising any power vested in him under subsection (4), the authorised officer may do any act specified in subsection (4) (a) or (e) in relation to any other land. (6) The authorised officer shall not enter on any land for the purposes of this section except— (a) at reasonable hours; and (b) after having previously given the owner and the occupier at least 48 hours’ written notice.