Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Minister Wilber Simuusa has revealed that 70 percent of the 40,000 hectares of the land in Lusaka has been illegally allocated to owners.
Speaking in Luanshya when he met councilors at the Civic centre after inspecting Land development funds usage in Luanshya, Mr. Simuusa bemoaned that land allocation in the country had been taken over by cadres of various political parties, whom he warned that the law will visit them.
“We are aware of cadres who have taken up land in some areas but I want to warn them that there will be no sacred lambs in arresting these people,” he said.
Mr. Simuusa praised the Luanshya Municipal Council for its land management.
He further said councils that have mismanaged funds like the Kitwe City Council risk not being given some more money until they account for the money.
“We want to ensure change in the way we deal with land issues in this country because as it is now things are in a mess and that is why we have started computerizing the whole system. We have since engaged an Israeli Company to set up five servers where all the land issues will be connected,” he said.
And Luanshya Mayor Nathan Bwalya says the council will work harder to uphold transparency and accountability in land allocation.
The Mayor said land is a critical component in the development of the country and allocation of it has to be transparent.
“We are happy that the Minister has rated us as one of the best performing councils in the country where the management of the Land Development Funds is transparent. This will make us strive to work even harder to uphold the standard,” he said.
Mr. Simuusa is on the province to inspect council’s usage of the Land Development Funds.
ZANIS
Mmmm sounds like 70% corruption to me
The minister is right. Just last month I was shocked to find a former MMD cadre with over 3 plots for sale in Gadern house and these are not jst plots but big ones. I wondered how this poor looking woman managed to have all those plots when the majority have none.
70% wow, batili aluzibi koiya naha ye!
I dont agree with this:
“He further said councils that have mismanaged funds like the Kitwe City Council risk not being given some more money until they account for the money.”
Were are our systems. Yes that above must not be allowed but why must cities suffer because of certain selfish individuals.
Find the guilty and charge them without crippling the operations the councils
70% of the land in Lusaka is held illegally?
Wow. Now there’s an alarmist statement if I’ve ever heard one!
This is not true Minister. Then who owns the other 30%? It is an alarmist statement. Is this statistic coming from the CSO or the Ministry of Lands itself?
Luanshya is doing well because your fellow MP & minister is a hard worker.come to your own town of chingola and put things right with land allocation and the road network.
This does not sound true…but then with the way Town Clerks, Engineers and Legal Councils are conniving especially in afield district councils like Ndola, Kitwe, Chingola and the like, it won’t be long before the statement becomes real for these places.
Another alarmist, Catch him!! You want to start what Mugabe did here?
Anyone selling land? I need illegal land as well.
Mr. Minister, the complete statement reads:
“Mr. Simuusa bemoaned that land allocation in the country had been taken over by cadres of various political parties …. which includes our very own PF”
Good Job Hon Simusa, Councils have been abusing the LDF.
Regarding Illegal allocations some where iniatited by LCC and Lands Officer.
Probe them and cage them.