Govt suspends Kabwe, Ndola councils land agency

Fri, 09 Jun 2017 14:40:45 +0000

By ANNIE ZULU

GOVERNMENT has with immediate effect suspended Kabwe Municipal Council and Ndola City Council as Agents in the administration of Land for failure to adhere to the guidelines and procedures in the administration of land.

Minister of Lands and Natural Resources Jean Kapata charged that the two councils had disregarded the guidelines and laid down procedures in the administration of Land.

The two local authorities have in the recent past reported of allegedly engaging in illegal allocation of land.

It has also emerged that the councils are selling land belonging to Zambians to foreigners, which has caused panic among victims, who fear that their properties might be demolished.

Ms Kapata said all land administration processes in both councils would now be handled by the Provincial Land offices until there is sanity.

The Minister was speaking to Journalists at a press briefing in Lusaka yesterday.

“Government through my Ministry is greatly concerned with the manner in which land is being administered by councils across the country on behalf of my Ministry.

“As you may be aware, all councils are agents of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources in the administration of land in the country.

“However, in the recent past, most councils have disregarded the guidelines and procedures in the administration of land. In this regard and in accordance with the administrative circular NO. 1 of 1985, I am suspending the agency of Kabwe Municipal Council and Ndola City Council till further notice,” she said.

And Ms Kapata has warned that government would not hesitate to revoke the agency for any council that fails to adhere to the guidelines and procedures in the land administration.

She said government’s priority was to provide a conducive and stable environment for increased socio- economic development.

Ms Kapata indicated that effective management of land was important in promoting economic development.

She said the high prevalence of illegality and lawlessness pertaining to land allocation and acquisition in Zambia was threatening law and order and affecting socio-economic development in the country.

“My Ministry being the principal institution in the administration and management of land in the country, will not sit idle and let councils continue to disregard the guidelines in the administration of land.

Meanwhile, Ms Kapata has instructed the technocrats in the Ministry of Lands to revise the administrative circular NO.1 of 1985 so as to improve the administration of land in the country.