PURPOSE: Aims to examine the expropriation, valuation and compensation practice. This paper tries to investigate how the expropriation and compensation laws are implemented when privately held land and attached real properties are taken for public purpose development.

DESIGN / METHODOLOGY / APPROACH: The paper reports the findings of a survey of expropriatees from main practices throughout Bhair Dar city and its surroundings. FINDINGS: There is a big gap between the actual practice of expropriation, valuation and compensation and the law. Lack of application of standardized methods and procedures created situations of unfair valuation and compensation.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATION: The practical implication is that the living status of affected people before and after expropriation could be useful.

ORIGINALITY / VALUE: The value of the paper for government officials, real property valuers and investorsis that transparency, consistency and fair compensation are useful.