Ministry Of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection has assured stakeholders in North Western Province that it will get as many recommendations as possible for the final draft of the national land policy.
Ministry of Lands Director Of Planning And Information, Veronica Mwiche said government acknowledges the concerns which people have over land issues in the country and is addressing them through consultations.
Ms Mwiche said this during a provincial consultative meeting on the draft national land policy which was organized by Caritas Zambia in Solwezi.
She said traditional leaders are one of the key stakeholders who are being consulted on the contents of the draft policy.
Meanwhile, Caritas Solwezi Director, Reverend Father Clifford Kaumba commended government for involving various stakeholders in formulating the final draft national land policy.
Rev. Kaumba stated that issues of land are pertinent to the country’s development because everyone benefits from it.
Speaking in the sidelines, Chief Kapijimpanga’s representative, John Kimba said the consultation process is a good initiative because it will help in addressing land wrangles which have affected most chiefdoms.
Mr. Kimba said Chief Kapijimpanga has not had a say in the selling of land to investors in his area for many years and expects the consultations with government will address this issue.
And Zambia Land Alliance Provincial Coordinator, Michelo Simwiitwa said his organisation is pleased that government has adopted the alliance’s recommendations for the draft policy.
It is simple – put your Nationals as priority and refrain from selling land to foreigners. Give a maximum land lease of 30 years for foreigner, which is sufficient for someone to have developed the land in a lifetime. Zambians own nothing at the moment and if you do not have a tangible policy to empower them through land, then they will own absolutely nothing. Also these uneducated chiefs shouldn’t be be given powers to sell land but rather be consulted and seek their consent. This debate should be the centre of the next elections debate
Stop selling land to foreigners. Foreigners are buying land in Zambia, and then reselling it to Zambians at exorbitant prices. Ban land ownership by foreigners before it’s too late. Foreigners who have permanent residence should only be allowed to buy land enough for just one house, and that’s it. If they use Zambians to circumvent that, they should be arrested. And chiefs are not educated enough to do land deals with sophisticated foreigners. If you don’t control this land issue in Zambia, very soon, 80% of land in Zambia will be in the hands of foreigners, and Zambians will be destitute in their own country. We know that corrupt Lungu doesn’t care about Zambians, but at least you can do the right thing. If you don’t have land you don’t have a country. Wake up, foo1s!
Land is the basic economic resource and heritage that Zambians have. It’s good that you have come back to your senses because I scared to see how Jean Kapata wanted to rush the whole process. The sale of large tracts of land to foreigners will one bring about civil strive, so it you’re doing for Zambians please consult widely