NRI supports Lands Minister’s initiative

​The country’s think-tank National Research Institute (NRI) supports Minister for Lands and Physical Planning Benny Allan for the Initiative taken to allow the public to take part in the review discussion of the Lands Act.

NRI Director Dr Charles Yala in a statement said it is an opportunity for the people to consult and get involved in the Review of the Land Act 1996.

Dr Yala said, NRI has been closely involved with Land Reform issues in the country for the last 10 years through the National Land Development Program (NLDP).

Hence, there is sufficient experience, which will be used to make a formal submission.

“This is a step in the right direction and an important process that encourages the public to take ownership and fully participate in the review process. We are encouraging the provincial governments, district administrations, private sector, landowners and the general public to not only attend but make written submissions because there are implications in the draft for them,” Dr Yala said.

He said the unique opportunity given by the Minister and his Department should be taken advantage because the revised Land Act will underpin legal and legislative requirements to address development, policy, legislative and administrative issues affecting land based growth as well as the effective functioning of the Lands Department.

“The review of the Land Act should also trigger reviews in other legislations like the Valuation Act, Survey Act, Survey Coordination Act, Physical Planning Act and other regulations to harmonize and strengthen respective powers in each division and the newly created Office of Customary Land Development,” Dr Yala said.

Author: 
Freddy Mou