Use title deeds to get bank loans, Zambians urged

Wed, 03 Jan 2018 14:05:22 +0000

By CLAVER MUTINTA

MINISTER of Lands and Environmental Protection Jean Kapata says Zambians who genuinely own land should use their plots to access bank loans, invest in businesses and improve their livelihoods.

Ms Kapata said acquiring land was an empowerment which people needed because it offers an opportunity for land owners to access bank facilities and go into entrepreneurship if they so wished.

The minister was speaking when she launched the national land titling programme in Chongwe’s Madido area where 92 certificates of title were issued to residents

The national land titling programme was being piloted in Chongwe and Lusaka’s Kamwala South Township before it spreads to other parties of the country.

“When you have a title you are empowered, you can walk into any bank and ask the bank to give you credit. They will come and value your house, and if your house is valued at K20 million, you will be given up to K20 million by the bank,” she said.

Ms Kapata said Government was creating opportunities for Zambians where they would be able to have access to financing from banks.

“Actually, it is the President of the Republic, Mr Edgar Lungu who is trying to empower Zambians so that you are able to walk into a bank and borrow money which you can use even in your businesses,” she said.

Lands acting permanent secretary Elias Mwila assured people of Chongwe’s Madido area that issuance of certificates would continue once they pay a statutory fee of K10, 000.

“I want to encourage those that have not yet paid to pay up so that we continue giving out these title deeds, it is a very important aspect that we are celebrating.  This is just a launch as a ministry, we will continue giving out titles, so it is an encouragement to all of you,” Mr Mwila said.

Speaking on behalf of Chongwe Member of Parliament Japhen Mwakalombe, Madido Ward 19 chairperson Vistol Kalaba said the issuance of certificates of title to residents was a demonstration of good leadership.

A representative of residents Grain Munakampwa appealed to the ministry to reduce the K10, 000 statutory fees for people to pay before being issued with certificates of title.

He also urged the Ministry of Lands to extend the issuance of title deeds to other areas sharing borders with Madido Township as plots were allocated to occupants at the same time.

“For most of the people here in Madido, K10, 000 is a lot of money. Please don’t defeat the good way you have started. We also plead for our neighbours in Obama Township to be the next as we all got plots at the same time,” he said. – Story courtesy of SUMA SYSTEMS.