Zambia Land Alliance has applauded the move by Ministries of Lands and Natural Resources and Local Government on the suspension of Lusaka and Kitwe City Councils for illegalities in land administration.
Alliance Executive Director Patrick Musole said the action taken by the two Ministries is long overdue, considering the impunity with which local authorities have been perpetrating illegality in land allocation.
Mr. Musole stated that the Ministries of Lands and Local Government are required to demonstrate integrity and transparency in the manner land is administered for them to earn the trust of the general public.
“For too long, there have been too many complaints by the general public about suspected corruption, lack of transparency and in legal land allocations in most of the councils around the country. We know that this is not the first time that these councils have been suspended, but we hope that this time around things will change for the better.
“Since the Ministries of Lands and Local Government are mandated to administer land on behalf of the President, they are required to demonstrate integrity and transparency in the manner land is administered for them to earn the trust of the general public,” Mr. Musole said.
Mr. Musole urged the Ministry of Lands and all Councils to clean up their systems and improve land administration for the benefit of Zambians.
Yesterday, Minister of Local Government suspended Lusaka and Kitwe City Councils for three months to correct ills on illegal land allocation.
Speaking at a media briefing in Lusaka, Dr. Charles Banda said this is in accordance with section 56 of the Local Government Act which empowers the Minister of Local Government to suspend Councils when there are problems.