LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Ministry of Lands has expressed satisfaction over customary land registration process underway across the country.
The Ministry has so far registered over 117,000 customary land and adjudicated and demarcated 200,000 customary land.
The Ministry’s spokesperson Mphatso Nkuonera told The Maravi Post that over 50,000 leases on public land have been registered so far in Lilongwe city, Blantyre city Mzuzu city, Kasungu Municipality and Karonga township.
In a positive move, some Paramount Chiefs have hailed the ministry for the establishment of customary land tribunals the first of its kind.
However, in random interviews, sores of chiefs in the country have said the establishment of land tribunals will significantly help in reducing land conflicts, and speedily resolving such matters as the Customary Land Clerks and district Land Registrars have legal knowledge needed in handling land issues.
Nkuonera said the ministry is happy with the support it has received from traditional authorities by closely working with the ministry on the land reforms drive.
Paramount Chiefs Kaduya, Kawinga and Chikulamayembe have also echoed their appreciation in separate interviews with this reporter.
Paramount Chief Kawinga, praised the ministry for engineering the land reforms and customary land registrations saying this will significantly reduce land related conflicts in their areas.
“I commend the ministry for its leading role in helping chiefs to handle land matters with ease and speed through the land clerks. As chiefs, we’re happy because the land clerks and land registrars have already helped immensely in reducing land conflicts.
“I plead with the ministry to do more civic education and awareness campaigns especially on customary land registrations and ownership, locals lack detailed facts about it,” Chief Kawinga said.
“Using their expertise, the land clerks will resolve land issues with objectivity,” said Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe.
“The establishment of land tribunals follows the recruitment of 319 land clerks and 34 Land registrars which the ministry drilled on handling of land matters prior to their deployment.