By Vincent Gunde
The Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, says registration of land requires coordinated efforts by all stakeholders for all to feel ” My land my wealth- Malo anga chuma changa.
The Ministry is continuing to implement land related reforms through the operationalization of the 2016 land laws, their 2022 amendments and other related registration.
It is supporting several projects that are implementing land tenure security, interventions in the country in areas of land governance, land registration, land laws awareness, capacity building, and land information management system operationalization.
Briefing the District executive committee (Dec) in Dowa on AGCOM 11 Customary Land Registration, the Ministry’s Land use planning Specialist in the Land Reforms implementation Unit Wisdom Bwanali, said land registration provides communities and households with formal recognition of their land.
Bwanali said land registration reduces risks of land grabbing, encroachment or disrupt as well as strengthening confidence for long term investments in land related conflict resolution, economy, empowerment, and recognition of customary rights.
He said land registration improves land management and provides social benefits which in the end enhances trust between communities and government.
The Specialist said District executive committee (Dec) plays a critical role in ensuring that the customary land registration process is done in conformity with the applicable laws.
He said Dec is their to ensure that there is coordination, oversight, and advisory roles in the customary land registration processes and aligning customary land registration with District Development Plans ( DDP).
Bwanali said Dec is there to monitor adherence to procedures and legal requirements, providing technical guidance to Traditional Authorities and Community Land Committees, mobilsing and sensitizing communities to participate in land registration.
” Dec on customary land has a role to play to ensuring that there’s conflict prevention, monitoring and reporting,” he said.
However, Bwanali said customary land registration is facing challenges such as mobility, community awareness and participation gaps, land ownership and boundary disputes, institutional capacity, sustainability, and coordination, among others.
In her remarks, Dowa District Council’s Director of Planning and Development Mercy Mpakule, urged all stakeholders in the district to work hand in hand with the Ministry of Lands to ensuring that Customary Land Registration in the district is a success.
