Dear Editor,
IN its manifesto for 2021-26, the Patriotic Front gives an overview of the status of the land from the past, the present and beyond 2021.
Land acquisition, utilisation and the aligned rights have consistently been associated with the number of hurdles.
In most instances, the problems associated with land, have been long aged ones and there has been generational failures in implementing reforms which would enable Zambians reclaim sovereignty over this valuable but historically venerable natural resources.
This discourse focuses on the notable achievements that the Patriotic Front government has recorded ever since it came to power and what it intended to implement should Zambian re-elect President Edgar Lungu in the August 12, 2021 elections. There are some problems that were inherited in the run up to the 2011 elections in so far as land administration is concerned. At the time there was power handover from the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD), Zambia did not have a defined policy document which stipulated on how land resource is to be administered. The Zambians did not enjoy any preferential treatment and they were given equal consideration with non-Zambians yet that is not the case with other countries.
The other notable challenge was the former MMD government handed over the nation that mostly depended on the manual record system, the land records inclusive.
This has regrettably led to the adverse quality delivery of services and the issuance of land titles was at a snail’s pace thereby having the pending backlog of pending titles to be issued. This has the ability to undermine security of tenure in land.
The other notable challenge in land administration was the pile of unresolved land disputes and this brought about uncertainty and insecurity.
Lastly, the other notable challenge was deforestation and the threatened depletion of forest species and aggravate the problem of climate change.
After the transition, the PF government in 2011-21 era has embarked on a number of reforms which would potentially lead to several reforms in land administration.
When the PF was elected in 2011, it took the following measures with a view to mitigating the hardships of the generational land problems;
1. The process for the formulated and validation of the National Land Policy was expedited and the process came to fruition. As at now the land policy only await Cabinet Approval though the process has inordinately derailed as far back as 2003.
2. The government embarked and continued with sporadic Titling and as in December, 2020, 53, 453 Title deeds were issued.
3. The Transaction Act was allowed to allow Digital Signature and Digital Certificates of Title.
4. Commenced the National Land Audit and it is being carried out in conjunction with other stakeholders countrywide; and
5. The government distributed K90 million of the Land Development Fund to 91 councils for land development. The fund has mainly been used for opening new areas earmarked for development. The implementation of the various laws on financial accountability has the Land Development Fund on the receiving end.
Going forward after the elections, a number of activities have been earmarked to the implementations of the various policies on land.
The government has already shown political will in enacting the National Land Policy and give it legal effect. With the titling process currently going, about 80 percent of public and private land is expected to be titled by 2026, an undertaking that will bring about security of tenure in land.
Moreover, with regard to the protracted disputes in land maters, the Land Court is set to be introduced as a specialised division of the High Court.
This will enable the specialised unit of the High Court specifically resolve land disputes.
As for Land administration in the past 10 years, Zambia has a positive story to tell.
MARVIN CHANDA MBERI, Lusaka.
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