| Author |
 Topic  |
|
Momodou
Denmark
11743 Posts |
 Posted - 14 Feb 2011 : 18:53:19
|
Former Principal Surveyor Explains How Land Is Allocated Promises to Submit Inspection Reports
By lamin sanyang
on 14-02-11
The former Principal Surveyor at the Department of Lands and Survey, Mr. Ousman S Jarjusey, on Thursday, 10th February 2011 at the Lands Commission in Banjul, made revelations and promised to submit the inspection reports on land allocation and demarcation to the said Commission.
The former Principal Surveyor said he is a retired civil servant. He said he is currently a private surveyor. He said he was employed at the Department of Lands and Surveys in 1973. He also explained the various positions he held at the said department. He said he was a principal surveyor for more than fifteen years. He said he was responsible for all the field works and training of junior staff.
Mr. Jarjusey told the Commission that he helped in the formulation of the laws for the Local government ministry, including the Physical Planning Act, Surveys Act, and State Lands Act and all other Acts that were accepted by the President of the First Republic in 1991. He said during that period he was in office, the Physical Planning and Lands Office were independent entities. He said that was the way things were until the time he left in the year 2001. He said he was responsible for all the field operations. He said they produced the National Plans, Divisional Plans, Town Plans and Local Plans. He said these plans were helping the government to make proper use of the land.
He told the Commission that the local plans were supervised and demarcated by him. He further revealed that he was responsible for layouts like Kanifing Layout, Kotu Layout, Kotu East Layout, Kotu South Layout, Fajara M Section Layout, Kanifing Industrial Layout, Old Jeshwang Layout, Golf Course Layout, Bakoteh Layout, Bundung Layout, Faji Kunda Layout, Farafeni Layout, Basse Koba Kunda Layout and others.
At this juncture, the Chairman of the Lands Commission, Justice Basiru Mahoney, asked him about the assignment that was given to him by the Commission. He said he and some Lands Commission members were assigned to inspect the realities behind the allocation and demarcation of certain layouts. He mentioned that they inspected Katchically Layout, Sallaji Layout, Nemasu Layout, Bijilo Layout, Brufut Layout, Kombo Coastal Layout, AMRC Sinchu Layout, Tanji Layout, Tujereng Layout and others. He informed the Land Commission panel that they are in the process of preparing a report. He also told them that they have maps with them. The Chairman of the Lands Commission, Justice Mahoney told him that the Commission is expecting the reports.
The former Principal surveyor informed the commission on the issue of maps. He said when a land is identified, surveyors go to the ground to survey the place. He said a Plan would be prepared which would be used to draw a layout. He said if a layout is drawn, it would be taken to the Divisional Commissioner’s office where it would be opened to public comments for thirty days. He said the comments would be captured and taken to the Local Government to prepare a final layout that would be taken to the Ministry, lands and Physical planning boards to approve it. He said when the maps are approved, they are sent back to Lands and Surveys to demarcate the layout according to the plan, nothing more or less. He said after demarcation, a final plan is produced with letters and numbers that are reserved for residential purposes and applications are advertised to the public. He said maps and drafts are all labelled. He said the final plan is always with the Director of Lands and Surveys.
Mr. Jarjusey further revealed that there are Land Allocation Boards that are responsible for the scrutiny of the applications. He said one of the criteria is that the applicant should be a Gambian. He said the applicant should not benefit from other layouts. He said a civil servant is given priority over a businessman/woman that has less family. He said the Land Sales Committee would shortlist those who apply and allocation would be done. He said letters would be written to state the terms and conditions to the applicants. He said a file is opened for every plot number and the copies would be at the departmental files. He said there is a map library at the department of lands and survey where all the maps are stored. He was asked whether it was the same when he was working at the department and he responded in the affirmative. He was asked about the allocation files which he said are all kept in the archives in case a problem happens. He said copies are sent to Physical Planning, NAWEC and Gamtel for electricity, water and telephone facilities.
He said there are machines that are used to print the maps and the negatives are kept by the department of lands. He was told to stand down from the box and would be recalled later.
Source: Foroyaa |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
 |
|
|
Momodou
Denmark
11743 Posts |
Posted - 18 Feb 2011 : 19:31:25
|
Complainants at the Lands Commission
By Lamin Ssanyang
17-02-11
Three complainants, on Monday 14th February 2011, appeared at the High Court in Banjul to testify before the Lands Commission concerning the seizure of their lands without any compensation from the concerned authorities.
The first complainant to testify before the Land Commission was Mr. Amadou Sonko of Kololi. He said he got a plot of land in Bijilo in the year 2006. He said the land was acquired from the Alkalo of Bijilo. He was asked the name of the Alkalo. He said he cannot remember the Alkalo’s name but said he knows his residence.
When asked about the amount he paid for the land, Sonko said he paid eight hundred thousand dalasi (D800, 000). He said he paid the money in cash. He said the payment was done in installments. He was asked whether he saw any document from the Alkalo before buying the land. He said he did not see any document but has enquired from the people within the area. He said the information he got was that the land does not have a problem.
Asked whether the said land belongs to the Alkalo, he answered in the affirmative. He said the Alkalo told him that he acquired the land from his family. He was asked whether he has received any transfer paper. He answered in the affirmative. He said the Alkalo has issue some papers and went with him to Brikama where he paid four thousand dalasi (D4, 000) for the transfer fees.
At this juncture, the Commission gave Mr. Sonko some documents to check through. He confirmed all the documents except one which he said was not part of them. When asked about the time that he received the documents, he said the Alaklo has issued the documents when he made the first payment. He said the Alkalo found it difficult to get the papers at Brikama. When asked whether the documents were stamped, he responded in the negative. On why the document was not transferred, he said at first he was told the document was sent to the Head office in Banjul; that it took a long time and he went to the Physical Planning to enquire whether the papers were ready. He said he showed the sketch plan to the officials and they confirmed it; that after this he went ahead to develop the land.
Mr. Sonko told the Commission that he later realized that the first form that he filled was lost in the hands of officials at Brikama and that he was told to fill a new form and again pay another four thousand dalasi (D4, 000) for the second time. When asked about the year, he said this was in 2006. He stated that he started developing the land in the same month. He said he put nine layers of cement blocks to fence the land. He said he started digging the foundation for the building at the same time. He was asked how long it took him to erect the fence and he said it took him about three to four weeks to erect the fence and dug the foundation for the building.
Mr. Sonko said one Saturday, while they were working on the left side of the fence, the Director of Physical Planning, Mr. Kebba Ceesay, and the Director of Lands and Surveys, Malamin Jatta, came and found them working at the place. He said the two directors told them that they were going to Brufut and asked for the owner of the place. He said he told them it was his property. He said they asked him for the documents and he showed them the transfer paper from the Alkalo. He said he told them that the other documents are at the office in Brikama.
Mr. Sonko said he knew the former Physical Planning Director Mr. Kebba Ceesay and said he later came to know the Director of Lands Mr. Malamin Jatta after he paid fees to him for the documents. He said Mr. Ceesay told him to come to his office in Banjul. He said Mr. Ceesay asked him at his office the person who sold the land to him. He said he told the Physical Planning boss that the said land was sold to him by the Alkalo. He said Mr. Ceesay told him that the land was spared for somebody. He said he asked him the name of that person. He said he told him the ‘big man’ himself. He said he asked him who the ‘big man’ is. He said he told him that he was not in the position to tell him.
He said he went to the Director of Lands, Mr. Malamin Jatta, who gave him an appointment to come on Friday. He said while he was on his way going to the Lands office he got a phone call informing him that his fence was demolished. He said he was told that the fence was demolished by Mr. Kebba Ceesay and his team. He was asked whether a notice was given to him and he responded in the negative. He was asked when the fence was demolished but said he cannot remember the date, adding that it was in 2006. He said if he checked with the documents he would be able to recall the date.
He said Mr. Malamin Jatta told him that they would settle the problem but kept him going back and forth to no avail. He said he was not talking to Mr. Kebba Ceesay. He said he went to complain to the former Minister of Local Government and Lands, Mr. Ismaila Sambou. He said he explained everything to the former minister and gave the documents to him. He said the former Minister called Mr. Malamin Jatta, Mr. Kebba Ceesay, DPS Saikou Sanyang and others to a meeting in his office. He said the ex- Minister asked Malamin Jatta about the said land who told him that the said land was part of government reserve land and was sold to the Central Bank. He said the ex-Minister requested for the documents from Mr. Malamin Jatta. He said the ex-Minister compared the two documents and told Mr. Jatta that he (Sonko) has got the land before the authorities sold the property. He said the ex-Minister asked them why they demolished the fence without giving any notice. He said the ex-Minister told Mr. Jatta that through his own experience the land should return to him (Sonko), but that since the land was sold to Central bank, they should give him a good compensation. He said it took long before Mr. Malamin Jatta would prepare the papers.
Mr. Sonko complained that he is yet to lay his hand on the property that was promised to him. He said he is always contacting them and that the new Director of Physical Planning Mr. Colley told him that they have opened a new file and are trying to settle things. He said Mr. Colley has called Mr. Hamidou Jallow, the Principal Valuation Officer to finalise the papers. When asked where the compensated area was, he said it is a new area either in Bijilo or Brufut. Asked whether the documents were sent to the office in Banjul before the Directors would appear there, he responded that the papers were sent before they appeared there. He said he got information from the office in Brikama that the two directors went back to the office in Banjul and told the officials not to stamp the documents.
The second complainant to testify was Mr. Bobb Cham of Sukuta. He said they have a family land in Sukuta Sabiji. He said it is part of their inheritance. He said he is currently the head of the family. He said he has sold part of the land and others were given as gifts. He said it is a vast land and some of the plots are not at the same area. When asked the number of plots that he sold, he said he sold ten plots and has given out six as gifts.
When asked how he had prepared the transfer papers, Mr. Cham said he went to the Alkalo to prepare the documents. When asked whether the Alkalo signed the papers, he responded in the positive. He was asked about the sketch plan and he said he only got the Alkalo’s transfer. He was asked whether the Alkalo would confirm before preparing the transfer and he answered in the affirmative. He gave a list of names people who acquired lands from him. He said some of the land was sold at fifteen thousand dalasi. He was asked when the last plot was sold. He said about four to five years ago.
Mr. Cham was asked about the Nemasu layout. He said he knew the place since the time of the late Alkalo Amadou Cham. Asked whether he knew about the Nemasu Layout Extension, he answered in the negative. When asked whether he had any problems with the lands he sold, he answered in the negative. Asked whether the plot he sold or gave out as gifts has fallen on the layout, he said he only came to know about it through the Lands Commission. He was again whether he has notice any development on the family land he sold. He answered in the positive, adding that this was when the government said their land has encroached on the layout or reserve land.
He said the late Alkalo Amadou Awa Cham told them that those who had land within the place called ‘Cuwareh’ should write to the authorities. Asked whether he wrote, he responded in the positive. He said before they would write the Alkalo told them to demarcate the place. He said after the demarcation a sketch plan was prepared. He said they attached it with the documents from the late Alkalo and sent them. He said that they were promised to be compensated. He was asked to name the person who promised them and he said it was the former Minister of Local Government, Mr. Nai Ceesay. Asked whether Nai Ceesay had told him verbally, he said he (Nai Ceesay) told him in front of Mr. Kebba Ceesay and other people.
Mr. Cham said they were also called to a meeting at the Physical Planning Department and were promised to be compensated at the Sallaji layout. He was asked how many of them are to be compensated. He said himself, Mr. Karamo Jassey, Ba Yusupha Jassey, Fafa Abdou Cham, Abdoulie Bojang and others. He said these are people representing their clans. He said they are yet to be compensated.
The last person to testify was Alagie Muhammed Khalifah Barrow of Sukuta in the West Coast Region. The old man said he was originally from Gunjur but lived in Sukuta. He said he inherited a land from his grandparents in Sukuta about 30 years ago. He was asked when he first started having problems with his land. He said about 22 years back. He said the person who was causing problems for him was the late Alkalo of Sukuta, one Burama Cham. He said the case was taken to court and that judgment was given in his favour. When asked why he brought the case to the Commission, he said he cannot still access the land.
He was asked how that was possible because he said the person he had problem with has died. He said he cannot access the compound because the family of the late Alkalo is still occupying the property. He was asked whether he returned to the court after the judgment to take action to evict them from the place. He said he went there several times. Asked when the last time he had contacted them, he said it was about 3 years ago. He said his counsel advised that whoever remains in the compound should pay to him as a tenant. He was asked what he wants from the Commission. He said he wants them to evict the people in the compound as he did not want any problem. He was told to go back to the court as the Commission is not mandated to take such cases.
Source: Foroyaa |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
|
|
|
Momodou
Denmark
11743 Posts |
Posted - 23 Feb 2011 : 11:08:14
|
SSHFC MD testifies at Lands Commission
By Sanna Jawara
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
The managing director of Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation (SSHFC) Tuesday testified at the ongoing Lands Commission chaired by Justice Mahoney at the High Court in Banjul.
When Tumbul Danso mounted the witness box, he was first asked to state his qualifications to the Commission, and he went on to disclose that he is an architect by profession and a holder of post-diploma and BA in Architecture in the UK. He said he is currently the director of SSHFC effective 31st December 2010. He told the Commission that he was the managing director of SSHFC from 2006 to 22nd September 2009 and prior to that, he served as the Corporation’s director of Housing from 1994 to 2005.
The SSHFC boss further informed the Commission that the Corporation has two mandate funds. These he said, are the SSHFC Fund and Housing Finance Fund. He explained that the Corporation provides housing for the citizens and is doing such as indicated in the Bakoteh Housing, Kanifing, and Brusubi housing both phases one and two. He also disclosed that the Corporation is currently implementing three projects in Tujereng, Jabang and Brikama. “The Corporation provides housing to the government, provided that the government provides lands to the Corporation. People who have their lands located within these projects are valued by the government and the figure is provided by the Corporation. The Corporation gives funds to the government through the Ministry of Local Government and Lands for payment as compensation to the affected persons. However, as the land gets scarce, the Corporation is now going into partnership with people who own vast areas of land and we are still developing the concept of partnership with landowners,” Danso explained to the Commission.
When asked by the Commission as to who did the evaluation, Danso replied that as he pointed out earlier, government provides lands to the Corporation and it is the Ministry of Local Government through the Department of Lands and Survey who are responsible for evaluation of lands before any compensation is effected. He explained that his Corporation usually announces for the affected persons to come forward and identify their lands within the layouts and naturally since the government provides lands, the Corporation does not deal with individual persons directly; hence they only provide funds to the government for compensation of the affected persons.
The SSHFC boss recalled compensation cases involving Brusubi phase one where they found about 15 people already settled on their lands. He said in such circumstances, the Corporation only has to relocate the affected persons and also provide funds for them to built similar houses or structures. However, he said where the existing land is affected, the Corporation usually incorporates them into the layouts. The SSHFC boss was asked about the circumstances surrounding the land of one Yaya Manneh and he replied among other things that, the Corporation executed plans exactly as they were on the approved plan. He added that layout plans are always sent to the Ministry of Local Government for approval before any action is taken. He also commented on the forms usually given to affected persons to sign for compensation. He said the forms must be signed by the affected person(s) with the signature indicating the consent of the person[s] concerned. He was then given a similar form for identification, which according to him, must bear the address of the person and his/ her signature.
Further commenting on the SSHFC layout issues, Danso explained among other things, that the Corporation relies on relevant authorities for acquisition of lands for layouts. Asked again to shed light on the fate of Brusubi phase 3, Danso said the Corporation received a call from the Ministry of Local Government and Lands informing them that the Corporation was given the land in question about 10 years ago and they did not develop it up to that time. Danso informed the Commission that the Corporation did not develop different projects at the same time, but rather developed them one after another. He then explained the different locations of Brusubi phase two and phase two extension. According to him, phase two is located near the village of Sukuta, while Phase two extension is located near Brufut. He revealed that the Corporation lost the phase three land projects.
Source: Daily Observer |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
|
|
|
Momodou
Denmark
11743 Posts |
Posted - 25 Feb 2011 : 18:45:27
|
Former Principal Surveyor Submits Inspection Report
By Lamin Sanyang
25-02-11
The AMRC Surveyor and Valuation officer, Mr. Ebrima Drammeh, testified before the Lands commission and the former Land Surveyor Mr. Ousman Jarjusey who was assigned with two other Land commissioners by the Commission to inspect certain layout submitted part of the inspection report to the Commission at the High Court complex in Banjul on Wednesday 23rd February 2011.
The first witness testified that he is a retired Surveyor at the department of Lands and Survey. He said he started work at the department in 1960 and was retired in 1995. He said he is currently the Surveyor and Valuation officer of AMRC on contract basis.
Mr. Drammeh was asked how AMRC acquired lands. He said AMRC acquired lands that were forfeited by the commission of Inquiry. He recalled the Lamin Kerewan site and an orchard in Bijilo that belonged to Alagie Jawara. He was asked about the identification of land which he said they normally used a map from the Commission of Inquiry to identify lands. He was asked whether they have their own maps. He answered in the affirmative. He was asked what they do with places that are developed. He said they would indicate it in the valuation report. He was asked whether they receive complaints when identifying a place. He answered in the affirmative, saying those are mostly the farmlands. He said they would tell them that the 1991 Land Act has indicated that all lands belong to the State. He was asked about the case of leased lands. He said that is determined by the Ministry responsible. He said AMRC relied on the report handed over to them.
Mr. Drammeh was further asked as to how AMRC valuated land. He said it varied, but added that he does valuation base on the present market value. He was asked about the present market value and he said they do consider the location, land value, the structure, utilities and facilities and so on.
The Valuation and Surveyor officer of AMRC further revealed the different types of layouts to the Commission. He said there are official and unofficial layouts. He said the unofficial layouts are the ones that were not approved by the cabinet. He said part of the unofficial layouts is Kololi layout, Kerr Sereign Institutional and Bijilo layouts. He said originally 800 square metres of land was given to AMRC at the Bijilo layout and was reduced to 450 square metres by the TDA. He said that happened at the time of the former minister of local government Yaya Ceesay.
At this juncture, the witness passed maps for the Commission to check them. He also submitted documents that contain directives from the office of the President regarding the extension of Yundum Military Barracks and the others. He asked permission to sit because he was sick. His request was granted by the Commission.
He was asked whether the plots that fell in the bumper zone are compensated. He answered in the affirmative saying that they have sent report to the office of the President about the number of plots that were affected within the Bumper zone. He said the Ministry of Local Government was asked to arrange for the compensation. He was asked about the remaining maps which he said are with the Corporation Director.He was asked how the Commission of Inquiry knows the areas that were forfeited. He said they do visit the area.
Mr. Drammeh asserted that any land that was leased within the reserve land after the 1991 Land Act is illegal. He was asked how AMRC used to issue receipts. He said the corporation Director should be in a better position to answer. At this juncture, a document was passed for him to check whether that was the receipt issued by AMRC. He looked at the document and shook his head in disapproval. He stated that was a document which was written by him for one Mr. Saikou Jaiteh who was selling his late brother’s property to a new buyer. He said the document was meant to indicate that he has done payment and that a receipt should be issued to him. He was asked the type of legal entitlement that should be given to the purchaser. He answered that a deed of assignment should be given to him. He was asked whether AMRC used to do such things. He said he thinks the person should go to a private solicitor instead of AMRC.
He was asked whether those who benefitted from the unofficial layouts were forfeited by the Commission of Inquiry which he answered in the affirmative. He also made mentioned of one Muhammed Njie who he said has a plot in Banjulinding/yundum which he (Njie) claimed he bought from his father’s driver, but the documents he produced were stamp by the Brikama Area Council and not AMRC. He was asked to step down from the box.
The next witness to testify before the Commission was the former Principal Land Surveyor Mr. Ousman Jarjusey who was assigned with two Land Commissioners, Lamin Cham and Bakary Bojang by the Commission to inspect certain layouts and submit reports to the Commission.
Mr. Jarjusey stood before the panel of Land commission to highlight the findings of their inspections and submit the report to them. Before proceeding, Mr. Jarjusey complained that most of the maps were Draft Plans and not approved Plans; that some of them are not numbered.
The former Principal Surveyor asserted that demarcation plans are use as the final plans and those plans are normally approved by the Director of Physical Planning, the Director of Lands and the Minister of Local Government.
He started with the Coastal Layout, there are 322 plots on the map, but only 301 plots exist on the ground. He said there are about 21 plots missing. He said there are reserved plots for a health Centre. He said there is a problem in institutional reserved areas with the local authorities and some of them are in court. He said he has seen that some of the places were knocked down by Physical Planning authorities. He said the other reserved plots are Football field, Mosque, BAC office, Lower Basic School, Upper Basic School, Nursery School, Car Park and etc. He said some of these reserved lands do not exist. He mentioned of a company called ‘Swami Industries’. He said he has discovered some abnormalities that some plots were sold to the ‘Swami Company’ within the estate. He said he was wondering whether ‘Swami Company’ was sold a chunk of land which they have a right, but if they are sold industrial lands, it was not right. He said selling those plots would be a problem because each person can have one plot.
He said they are not selling a whole plot but only half plots to get a clearance. He said the Commission can find from them. The report was submitted to the commission.
The next layout that he highlighted was the Sallaji old layout. He said the number of plots on the map was 810 and there was no varying on the ground. He said in that layout, there are reserves for Police Station, Middle School, Fire Station, Health Centre, NAWEC Borehole, Primary School, GAMTEL facility, Nursery School, Public Park , market and a car park.
He said the Sallaji Extension layout is a reserved plan and it is not demarcated. He said there are reserves but not much to be done about it. He submitted the report. Meanwhile he said he forgot the report for Brufut layout at home which he said had much information.
He said in the Nemasu layout, there is no indication whether it is a draft or final layout, but it is numbered. He said there are 573 plots on the map, but said only 527 plots exist on the ground. He said there are reserved plots for a High School, Play field, Market, Public reserve, Car Park, Health Centre, Petrol Station and a Cemetery. He said all these reserves are in place except the Cemetery which is demarcated into plots and people are staying there. He said there are other reserves which are not labeled but are occupied as residential. He said the reserve for the cemetery is 106 by 160, but the cemetery does not exist. He said there are seven plots around the cemetery that are lost. He said a whole block was lost.
He said in the Kabafita layout, there are 399 plots on the map, but only 84 exist on the ground. He said 315 plots were encroached and that made it to be the most encroached layout. He said there are reserves for Cinema, NAWEC, Bank, Mosque, Football field, Children’s’ playfield and Market. He said all the above named reserve plots do not exist except the market which is used as a football field. He said the layout was demarcated in 1991 and was allocated in 1995 and re-allocated in 1996.
He said the encroachment of the layout was done by the traditional owners. He said that any status quo to the layout may create controversy because people have built good houses.
He said the number of plots on the map of the ‘Approved Bijilo Residential Layout’ is 119, but 141 plots exists on the ground. He said there are variances of 22 plots. He said there are reserves for Health Centre, Nursery School, and a Cemetery. He said all the two reserved plots exist except the cemetery which is demarcated and occupied by people and some of them have got leased documents. Mr. Jarjusey said that the layout was entirely under the then TDA.
The former Principal Surveyor said there are 21 plots in the map of Bijilo Annex layout, but only 11 plots exist on the ground. He further revealed that there is contradiction with regard to what is on the plan and on the ground is not the same. He said there are no reserves in this area, but the place is fully developed.
He said the Old Jeshwang layout has 65 plots on the plan, but 82 plots exist on the ground. He said the additional plots are within the green area. He said some of the plots are still empty, but some are developed. He said there are reserves for Nursery School, Children’s field, green area, Institutional reserves, commercial reserves and petrol station. He said all the reserved plots exist, but the green area is reduced. He was asked what was meant by green area. He said that was the name indicated in the map by those who plan it. He said the Nursery School is being reduced. He said the institutional, commercial and petrol station are currently used by the women garden. At this juncture he was told to submit the rest of the report in the next sitting, Thursday 3rd 2011.
Source: Foroyaa |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
|
|
|
Momodou
Denmark
11743 Posts |
Posted - 08 Mar 2011 : 13:37:29
|
Director Jatta recalled by Lands Commission
By Sanna Jawara
Tuesday, March 08, 2011
Malamin Jatta, director of Lands and Survey was yesterday recalled to shed more light on issues relating to land allocations in the country and others concerning layout identification and allocation.
Jatta’s yesterday appearance to the Commission was the third time, if not more, all for adducing evidence about some of the land allocations, the role of his department and that of the Physical Planning & Housing Department among others. When he mounted the witness box, he explained the Department of Physical Planning& Housing does the scouting of lands as the department that has the statutory mandate to scout for lands for the government. According to the Lands and Survey director, land is identified and allocated based on the zone areas.
Asked how scouting of land was normally done and the director of Lands and Survey replied that as far as he is concerned, scouting of land for the government is done by Physical Planning and according to the zone areas and regions on maps available. “However, the realty is that, a map can show an area empty at a particular time and the next time the place is no longer empty due to the rapid developments taking place in the country. Physical Planning scouts for land by finding out who the land in question belongs to. The said department makes plan and if they find out those developing the land, they check whether the said people have leased the land or got permit for development. At some point Physical Planning and the Department of Lands tried to get information regarding lands from the area councils, but unfortunately their information were not always accurate and detailed and some of the records used to be missing. We used to find out from the Department of Physical Planning if those developing the lands have the permit to do so. Agriculture related activities required no permit. We also gos to the village Alkalolu and settlement authorities as they are not familiar with the maps,” Lands director further explained.
He went to explain that Physical Planning identifies land and find out from the villagers, the actual users of the land, for the purpose of compensation whenever the plan map is approved by the Ministry of Local Government and Lands. Further commenting on the land scouting issue, Jatta asserted that once the policy makers recommend a place for identification of land, the Department of Physical Planning, as the department responsible for scouting, will carry out the work. According to him, planning of lay out is invested in the authority of Physical Planning and they receive instructions from the Ministry which also normally receives executive directives. The Lands and Survey director then recalled an executive directive for relocation of flood victims in Ebo Town and other areas. When asked whether demarcation of local farmlands is done by Physical Planning, Jatta replied that all the zone areas are inundated and as such “if you want to do any development, you will either have to do it on agricultural or residential lands.”
According to him, national physical development plan is meant for the whole country and there are different physical plans which cover local plans, layout plans; that the layout plan does not have to be residential layout and that there is another plan called subjective plan. “When I was at the Physical Planning, we have developed a physical development plan for the Greater Banjul Area, which supposed to last for 15 to 20 years and the period had elapsed now. This particular plan was exhibited to the people, comments were made and there were instances when plans were exhibited to the local people for comment and identification of their lands in the plan map. This was done in the case of the Sanlagie Layout in Sukuta. Land owners identified their lands and how much they should be compensated. Kebba Ceesay, the then director of Physical Planning coordinated the Sanlagie Layout exhibition. These people’s lands were calculated and identified for compensation but still nothing is paid,” Malamin Jatta told the Commission.
Asked again whether he was aware that customary owners of the Sanlagie Layout were complaining that there was no exhibition about the layout, Jatta responded by saying “well, this is what some of them will say, but the lay out was exhibited to the villagers including the alkalo of the village”. Jatta then recalled a person who claimed to be representing his family for compensation, while the said land belongs to the kabilo and members of the kabilo reported the matter to Office of the President and the vice president was assigned to handle the matter, while Kebba Ceesay coordinated the issue at the time as the director of Physical Planning. “However, compensation and evaluations are done by the Department of Lands and Survey, though both the Department of Physical Planning and Lands & Survey go to the site for evaluation of the lands and there are technicians who advise the policy makers about land-related issues.
Still commenting on the compensation, the Lands director revealed among other things that, the Ministry of Local Government and Lands has the final say as to who and how much should be paid to who, depending the land and size of the land they have on the layout. According to Jatta, at the moment they have about six hundred land compensation and in most cases the land owners prefer their lands than compensation, especially where residential lands are involved. This point, according to him people will prefer losing agriculture lands to residential lands. He further revealed that the main Sanlagie Layout was meant to compensate people who lost their lands in Brufut caused by the hosting of the African Union (AU) submit held in The Gambia.
The Lands director acknowledged that Sanlagie has something to do with the Nema Su Layout. “This is due to the fact that there were many people who needed to be compensated. As such, people from Nema Su were compensated for Sanlagie Layout and some of these compensations were due to court orders, especially for people who were not compensated for long time. But the Ministry has to give instructions as to who should be compensated at so and so time,” he stated. Jatta went: “In compensation, we do give priority to people who lose residential lands more, than those who lose an agriculture lands. The main Sanlagie Layout is a compensation layout. Allocations were to those who lost lands in Brufut and allocations were made to the Under- 17 football team of The Gambia. Lands were also allocated to some members of the National Assembly, security officers and some members of the APRC also benefited from the allocation”.
The Lands and Survey director further commenting on the land issue, recalled receiving a list from Churhills Baldeh, the then Majority leader of the National Assembly requesting for land allocation and the list was approved by the then minister. According to Jatta, whenever an instruction came from the minister for allocation there used to be no application to that effect. The lands director again revealed that some of the ministers at the time used to write a letter, photocopy their passports and send them requesting allocation. Asked whether security personnel did apply for allocation, he responded that he had not seen their application forms, but he then explained that when he came there was a state act, which stated that applications for allocation will be always on public notice for people to apply. Malamin Jatta insisted that land was allocated to Batingel on religious ground, as they made an application for a land and it was approved.
M Sumareh allocation
The Lands director, further clarifying issues relating to land allocations in the country said, the compensation issue of M Sumareh has been a long one between the Ministry of Local Government and Lands and M Sumareh. According to Jatta, the Ministry at one time wanted to evict M Sumareh from the land in question. “However, during the said period, M Sumareh was able to produce documents of ownership and these documents gave the Ministry the opportunity to allocate a land to him on the Badala Park Highway, and as a result of the compensation, M Sumareh withdrew the case from the court without any monetary compensation.
Change of land use
Malamin Jatta said a land use could be changed for another purpose, such as agriculture or residential use. He cited the Bijilo cemetery as an example, which according to him was changed into residential use. With reference to a map held in his hand, he gave a detailed explanation about the proposed diplomatic residential plan along the coastal areas, but the plan did not go as planned and he also highlighted series of plots located to the land sales committee in Bijilo and evironment, which the alkalo sold to some people like one Bakary Sonko, without knowing that the area was already planned. The said Sonko claimed ownership of the land and developed it without any permit. “The officers of Physical Planning knocked down the fence and the land was later sold to the Central Bank of the Gambia,” Jatta informed the Lands Commission. According to him, land applicants have to pay the fees for the land before any file is open for them and they should develop the land within six months after which the Ministry has an authority to re-enter the land and put it to sale.
“It is easy to re-enter a soft land than hard land. Soft lands are the empty lands without any sign of development on them, while hard lands are those developed or with a sign of development on them. According to the Lands Act, even digging a foundation for fence is a sign of development. I recalled giving a list to the NIA investigating team before I left the office in October 2010 and I also gave a copy of the said list to the permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Lands. These lists were from a computer print-out,” the Lands and Survey director explained to the Commission.
Source: Daily Observer |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
|
|
|
Momodou
Denmark
11743 Posts |
Posted - 08 Mar 2011 : 13:49:23
|
Former Principal Surveyor ends Inspection Report
By Lamin Sanyang
The former Principal Surveyor of the Department of Lands and Surveys, Mr. Ousman S Jarjusey, appeared on Thursday 3rd March 2011 before the Lands Commission at the High Court in Banjul to continue giving his reports on the inspection of layouts assigned to him by the Commission.
In giving the reports of the outcome of the inspections that the Lands Commission had assigned him and two other Commissioners namely Bakary Bojang and Lamin Cham, Mr. Jarjusey started with the Brufut layout. He reported that there are 165 plots on the map but that the number on the ground is 173 plots. He said there are variances in the sizes of the plots and that some of the plots are not numbered. He revealed that there is one open reserve but there is no specification as to what this reserve is for. He said this reserve falls within the Tourism Development Area (TDA). He said the demarcation includes the Brufut Five Star Hotel and others. When asked how he got that information, Mr. Jarjusey said he did a survey for one Sulayman Sarr in 1992 and that has shown that part of the map is within the TDA. He passed a document to the Land Commissioners, adding that he got it from his archives.
The next layout which Mr. Jarjusey reported on was the Bijilo Annex Extension. He told the Commission that there are 40 plots on the map but in reality more plots exist on the ground. He said there are variances of plots divided into plots. He said plot number 4 was divided into 4 plots and plot number 3 was divided into 2 plots; that plot number 18 was divided into 4 plots and plot number 21 was divided into 2 plots. He said a road was created between plots number 5 and 6. He said there is no reserve and that most of the plots are fully developed.
The former Principal Land Surveyor also highlighted on the Industrial layout. He said there are two industrial layouts, the Alternatives I and II. He said in the Industrial layout Alternative I, there are 19 plots on the plan and there are 19 plots on the ground. He said there is no variance. He said some of the plots are empty. He said there is no reserve. He said all the plots are around the main Bafuloto area. However, he said, with the Industrial Alternative II, there are 264 plots on the plan but that the extension by the Farato Farm has taken 100 meters from it. He said the other remaining areas are vacant and there is no reserve.
Mr. Jarjusey also reported about the Katchically layout. He said the number of plots on the map is 62 and there are 62 on the ground. He said there are no variances. He said only 5 plots are developed and the rest are empty. He said there are reserves for mosque, praying ground and GAMTEL all of which, he added, exist.
On the Kanifing Industrial layout, Mr. Jarjusey reported that according to the plan the plots are not numbered. He said that 22 of the plots are not demarcated and that he is not sure whether the plan is an approved one. He advised the Land Commissioners to find out whether the plan was approved. He said there is only one reserve i.e. a football field which is intact. He added that the plots are not numbered.
The last layout to be reported on by Mr. Jarjusey was the Futurelec layout. He told the Commission that he left the plan at his office. He said there are 19 plots on the map and it’s the same on the ground. He said all the plots are residential except one which is a Botanical garden owned by Mr. Suelle. He said there is no reserve and that all the plots are occupied. He said the Botanical garden is only fenced.
At this stage, the report on the inspection outcome came to an end after all the documents were submitted to the Lands Commission.
Mr. Jarjusey, the former Principal Land Surveyor, informed the Lands Commission that he has not received the plans for the AMRC plots in Farato and Tanji.
Source: Foroyyaa |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
|
|
|
Janyanfara
Tanzania
1350 Posts |
Posted - 08 Mar 2011 : 17:05:36
|
I think it is better to develop one's own Father compound even if it is in the far Koina village because how can a criminal government use rouge chiefs to create confusion amongst brotherly Gambians on the pretext of stealing people's land and sell it to their own chosen people?
Gambia has indeed become a nations of high way robbery and banditry.Those chosen chiefs who are never representatives of their people but only representing the one who chose them would one day dance to their own tunes. The clock is ticking. |
|
|
|
Momodou
Denmark
11743 Posts |
Posted - 09 Mar 2011 : 12:46:52
|
Daily Observer version
-------------
Director Jatta continues testimony at Lands Commission
by Sanna Jawara
Wednesday, March 09, 2011
Malamin Jatta, director of Lands and Survey, Tuesday continued to adduce more evidence at the ongoing Lands Commission chaired by Justice Mahoney at the High Court in Banjul. The Lands director started giving evidence with respect to allocation of lands to the people of Brufut, who lost lands to the AU Villas and environment. According to Jatta, the number of plots seized from the people of Brufut was the same number of plots given to them. He added that precisely five hundred plots were given to them and allocations were made in accordance with the number of applications received.
“When I took office, the then Joseph Joof’s inquiry made a press release informing the people of Brufut to bring along documents relating to their lands for compensation at the Sanlagie Layout. There was no segregation in the allocation of lands at the Sanlagie Layout. The security personnel, Brufut people, the National Assembly members and the Under-17 team were all mingle and the Brufut people who last came for compensation were also slotted in the remaining plots,” Malamin Jatta said. Asked why priority was given to the members of the National Assembly over others, especially the people of Nemasue, The Lands and Survey director replied that he cannot elaborate more on why priority was given to members of the national assembly, because his office normally received instructions from the minister and minister too used to receive instructions from the cabinet. However, he acknowledged that allocations were made to National Assembly members in the year 2006.
Further commenting about the Nemasue compensation, the Lands and Survey director said the people of Nemasue were asked to bring in their documents so as to facilitate their compensation, but some of them came empty handed and made claims based on no title deeds and priority was given to those with documents. Mr Jatta also informed the Commission among other things that, the Sanlagie layout was meant to accommodate civil servants, who were not lucky to have a plot of land. He further revealed that the ministry is responsible for identifying lands for either layout or for sale to raise money for the government. According to Jatta, re-entry of a land is a total different subject, and the government can re-enter in a land and sell depending on the condition. The Lands director then recalled selling of a coastal layout, which [was] as a result of an executive directive.
Asked whether the land sales committee can do compensation, Mr Jatta replied in the negative, saying they cannot do it, because plot were identified and compensated based on their value. At that juncture he was given a bunch of files for identification and he replied remarked that the file has to do with the Bijilo extension A. He then went ahead to give a detailed explanation [on the difference] between a residential layout and a coastal lands. This explanation brought him to the issue of one Amadou Sonko, who bought a land from alkalo, which the alkalo has no authority to sell, resulting the said Amadou Sonko finding it difficult to have access to documents of the land. “Amadou Sonko and others were advised not to collect their monies from the alkalo and Amadou claimed that the alkalo cannot refund his money and he insisted on developing the land and this was during the time of the then director of Physical Planning, Kebba Ceesay. Again this Amadou Sonko played politics in the issue by going to the minister and the minister convened a meeting where Amadou was asked to collect his money from the alkalo, but he said the alkalo cannot refund his money. Later the said land was sold to the Central Bank of The Gambia. However, an agreement was made to compensate him on humanitarian basis, but no specific location was identified for the compensation and he (Amadou) was accordingly informed about it. Amadou Sonko claimed that he received no letter to that effect and the PS Technical at the Ministry of Local Government and Lands assigned me to write a letter indicating the government’s willingness to compensate him,” Malamin Jatta told the Commission.
Mr Jatta said the Land Sales Committee always makes plans for the lands and valued them before selling them and most of the times they are sold at the market price. He then described compensation measure as the one depending on the location of the land and its value. He also said the Land Sales Committee often advertises the sale of lands depending on the circumstances of the sale, but whereas the land is located within a prime land where an individual expressed interest in the said land and also agreed on the attached price and terms and conditions of the sale, there used be no advertisement for such sales. He then backed up his explanation with an example of certain lands located in Kanifing and Jeshwang, which were sold to some of the committee members who expressed interest in them.
The Lands director explained that the GRA rate of value can vary depending on the location of the land. He also explained the difference between location of land located within a prime area, especially a land located near the highway and development area compared to a land located within the residential area. “The ministry identified lands and valued them, but payments are done at the treasury and these payments are done in bulk, however, some payments are on instalment basis. All the land located within the coastal areas have similar value, unfortunately I cannot recalled off-head the sum of money the Land Sales Committee made, but it must be in millions,” he said.
When given a file for identification, he later responded that the file was in connection to coastal land sales in the year 2003, because at the time felt the value of land and the coming into market of some property developers and the committee agreed to sale lands to these property developers at certain rates. Mr Jatta accepted that a total of 160 plots were sold, each at D150, 000 (one hundred and fifty thousand dalais, which amounted to a total of 24million million (Twenty four million dalasis). Jatta further described swamp industries as property developers who buy lands, develop and sell them to people and these group of swamp industries are different from others who were given lands free for development. He said the 40 percent usually given to property developers are normally recovered in the form of tax. “We did not sell any residential plots, we sold plots within the layouts to some of the swamp industries and these swamp industries have no right to change the design of the plots in the layout. The plans were made by the ministry through the Department of Physical Planning. If they change the design, the ministry has a right to intervene as the ministry through physical planning normally carried out demolition exercise for illegal structures,” he added.
About the AMRC
Further responding to series of questions posed to him by the Commission, the Lands and Survey director said the people who bought lands in Old Yundum from the AMRC are entitled to a compensation from the AMRC and also those whose lands fall under the bumper development area of the Army barracks are entitled to a compensation, but provided they have a permit for development of the said lands. He also spoke about the procedure involved in the use of change of a land, especially from agriculture to residential one. According to Mr Jatta, people who sold their agricultural lands to the AMRC, the AMRC can change them into residential use. He added that both the SSFHC and the AMRC can approach the local traditional owners and negotiate with them about their intention to acquire land, depending on the agreement they made.
On TDA
The Lands and Survey director said the original location of the TDA was about 800 metres starting from the high water mark in Cape point, Bakau to around Senegambia end and Batokunku. He added that Bijilo and Batokunku areas are deep in the TDA. He said he recalled several occasions when the Ministry of Local Government and Lands wrote letters to the GTA after the transfer of lands within the TDA to the ministry, but he is not sure whether the TDA complied with the letters. Mr Jatta insisted that the transfer was made in August 2008.
About the provincial lands
The Lands director revealed among other things that, the provincial lands are under the ministry, but are administered by the regional and district authorities in accordance with the Lands Act. The leased documents are given to the governor, but the minister has to approve them and the Department of Physical Planning has to design planning of the provincial lands.
At this juncture the Commission chairman, Justice Mahoney asked him about the circumstances surrounding the leasing of a land claimed by the Afro Natural Mineral Company located in Sohume Village. Jatta replied that he believed the said ??? was prepared in Banjul. Asked how the Sony Energy Company in Mandinaring Village were allocated land, Mr Jatta replied that the company’s allocation was spearheaded by the Ministry of Energy for the purpose of having energy supplies in the country. According to the Lands director, there was a consultation between villagers, Sony Energy officials and the Ministry of Energy. He said the villagers headed by the alkalo offered a land for allocation to the Sony Energy Company and they even led the company officials to the proposed site, where they said they were ready to give 300 metres of land to the project and the company is where they allocated the land for them. Asked whether the Basse layout was approved by the minister, he replied in the affirmative, but he was quick to say he was not in the office then. According to Mr Jatta, a good percentage of provincial lands must have the approval of the minister and the governor.
Kachikally Layout
Jatta told the Commission this particular layout was meant for two purposes -such the Banjul port relocation for the land owners within the area of the port extension plan. When asked to as to why some of the plots within the Kachikally layout are developed and some are empty, Mr Jatta replied that the plots were not for reserve, but rather they belongs to some people in Bakau as a result of a request made by the National Assembly member for Bakau that some of his people without land be allocated land within the layout. He said this request is yet to be approved. Asked how many lands he got, he said two, one in Kanifing and another in Bijilo. “I have only two lands and two wives, first wife has no land, but my second wife got about ten compounds,” he explained. He said he has worked for the ministry since 1983 and he was not allocated a land until when he was appointed director.
Source: Daily Observer |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
|
|
|
Momodou
Denmark
11743 Posts |
Posted - 09 Mar 2011 : 17:27:54
|
Foroyaa version
--------
Director of Lands Harps on Land Allocation
By Lamin Sanyang
09-03-11
The Director of the Department of Lands and Survey, Mr Malamin Jatta on Monday 7th march 2011 re-appeared at the High Court in Banjul before the Lands Commission for further clarification on the scouting and allocation of layouts and compensation procedures.
The Director of Lands and Survey was asked about the way they used to scout for lands. He said they used to go through the map available. He said most of the scouting is done by the Physical Planning for the Ministry by identifying the land. He was asked how scouting is normally conducted. He said he is not a policy maker but a technician. But he still maintained that the department of Physical Planning is responsible. He said they used to look at the maps available in the office. He said a map can show an area empty at the time of preparation and it can change within a week. He said the physical plotting on the map is normally plotted on the plan. He said they would try to find the actual owners of the land. He said at some point, if the person is within the West Coast Region, meaning the Area Council would be contacted about the customary lands. He revealed that the unfortunate thing about the Area Council was that they did not indicate the size and location of the land in their documents.
He said when they showed a fence or building in the area, they would contact the Physical Planning about the development permit. He said there is no permit for agricultural lands. He said subsequently, they go to the village heads in all the settlements but as most of the Alkalos are not familiar with maps, they would go with them physically on the ground. He said they helped them to find out the actual users of the land for the compensation by the policy makers. He said it is the policy makers who would identify a particular area and they would also add others in case that area is not feasible. He was asked who is responsible for the document of the layout which he said is the Department of Physical Planning. He said the planning of layout is depends on the planning authority of the particular area base on the instruction of the policy makers in the Ministry through the Office of the President. He recalled the case of Kotu Quarry saying that an executive directive was given to relocate the flood victims which he said is in progress.
Director Jatta said there are different categories of planning such as the National Physical Planning and the Economic Planning that go to the entire country. He said there is specific planning for different regions from the Physical Planning to the local planning that go to a layout planning. He said the layout planning does not only have to be residential plan; adding it can be industrial plan or a specific plan. He said when he was in Physical Planning, the physical planning for the Greater Banjul Area was prepared 15 to 20 years back which has elapsed, but the plan would be exhibited for public comments. He also said the layouts are exhibited locally. He was asked whether they are exhibited in the Area Council which he answered in the affirmative. He said they are exhibited to the Alkalo and the local people. He said he was taking care of the Sallaji layout and the land owners were to identify their lands and be compensated.
He was asked whether the Sallaji layout was exhibited to the Alkalo and the land users which he answered in the affirmative. He was asked the Alkalo of which place. He said the Alkalo of Sukuta. He was asked where it was exhibited which he said at the home of the Alkalo. He said the presentation was done by the then Director of Physical Planning Mr. Kebba Ceesay. He was told that there are complaints that lands were identified, but the land users are not compensated which he answered in the affirmative that some are not compensated. He was asked whether the same thing goes for the Sallaji Extension which he again answered in the affirmative. He was told that the customary owners are complaining that there was no exhibition. He denied the complaints. He recalled that there was one person who came to the Old Sallaji layout claiming kabilo land on behalf of his kabilo but used it for personal purpose. He said when the people of that kabilo were aware of that, they wrote to the Office of the President requesting for their land and the Vice President told them to go back and settle it between themselves.
He was asked who is responsible for compensation which he said is the Department of Lands and Survey. He said the Physical planning values the land and the valuation unit of his department takes it from the Physical Planning to compute the things for the compensation. He said there are technical advisers to the policy makers. He said the valuation unit goes to the Physical Planning to collect the list and bring it to Lands. He was asked who is responsible for paying the compensation which he said was the Ministry. He revealed to the Commission that the amount for the compensation is so huge that it cannot be compensated from the national budget. He said some of these people were told that they would be given residential plots with little money. But he said most of them are interested in lands.
Director Jatta told the Commission that the main Sallaji layout was meant for the Brufut allotees because of the land taken to host the AU summit. He was asked whether the Sallaji layout has anything to do with the people affected in Nemasu which he answered in the negative. He was told about a list of compensation that was written to him by the Director of Physical Planning on 21st June 2005. He told the Commission that some of those people are compensated in the Sallaji layout. At this juncture a bunch of documents was passed for him to check. After going through the documents, he said some of the claimants are compensated in the Sallaji layout. He was asked about the others which he said are yet to be compensated. He was asked about the preference in compensation which he said some of them are based on court judgments. He also said that it is up to the ministry to pick for those who should be given priority and instructions are given to them.
He was asked whether power does not rely on him to choose who should be compensated which he answered in the affirmative. He said there should be a land board that should advise the minister, but instead the minister relies on the technical team. On the criteria they used to pay compensation, he said they give priority to court judgments. He was asked apart from court judgments. He said they do look at the amount of lands the “kabilo” or the individual owns to compensate him. He also said the kind of document presented would determine such compensation. He said somebody who loses a house is given more priority than agricultural land. He said priority is also given to those complaints to the Office of the President. He said the allocation of land at Sallaji layout was not only based on compensation. He said executive directive was given to allocate the then National Assembly Members, the Under 17 football team, Security Personnel, senior officials, party sympathizers and so on. He was asked about allocation of party sympathizers which he said he cannot answer but the ministry should be in a position to answer the question. He was asked whether the National Assembly Members applied for land and he responded that they applied for the Brufut layout. He was asked whether they have re-applied for the Sallaji layout which he answered in the negative. He said it was the then majority leader Churchill Baldeh who prepared the list. He was asked about the allocation of land to senior government officials and he said some of them went through the ministry for allocation. He said in that case, instruction came to them to allocate those officials. He said some of them are Permanent Secretaries. He was asked whether they applied and he replied in the negative.
The Director of Lands said the Sallaji layout was not meant for the general Gambian population. He was asked whether these are the only categories of people in the main Sallaji layout which he answered in the affirmative. He was asked under what category Baati Ngel falls in the layout. He said it falls in the category of religion. He said that it was applied through the Christian Council. He was asked about the compensation for M Sumareh which he said has been a long lingering court case between M Sumareh and the ministry of Local government, but the court was on his favour. He said M Sumareh was able to provide his documents and added that the ministry reached an amicable solution by giving him the Badala Park highway without any monetary compensation.
Director Jatta said the changing of Bijilo Cemetery to residential went to the Cabinet where it was approved. He also told the Commission that the Bijilo Alkalo sold part of Bijilo Extension A not knowing that there is a plan for the area. He said the individuals who bought the plots were only given t documents from the Alkalo. He said one Amadou Sonko started development without any permit. He was told that there were 800 plots in Sallaji and only 400 files were produce to the Commission. He said a file is open when a person come to pay the required fees at the office. He was asked for the time frame for the payment of requirement fees which he said is 30 days. He was asked what happens if 30 days elapses, he said the ministry would withdraw the application. He was asked whether the person can transfer ownership of the property to another person before developing the place, and he replied in the negative. He was asked about the penalty and he said the ministry handles it.
He was asked about proper records of registers because the Commission has requested a list of allocation in October 2010 and was not submitted until February 2011. He said he submitted it to the NIA officials who came to his office requesting for the list. He said he also gave it to the Permanent Secretary for Local Government when he requested it for the Commission.
He said it is the minister who gave directives to go to a layout for re-entry exercise and those areas that are not developed would be marked in the map. He said they do prepare a list of names of those whose plots are not developed and submit it to the Deputy Permanent Secretary at Local Government who is the overall supervisor. He said the Deputy Permanent Secretary for Local Government advises the minister on the matter. He said the empty plots are then targeted and the re-entry process is done but the final decision is taken by the minister. He said a notice is given to the individual within two weeks. He said some of the plots are not develop because of litigation.
He was asked the number of plots given to the people of Brufut and he said it is the same number of plots that were taken from them. He said when he took office after the Joseph Joof Inquiry; they told the original Brufut land owners to bring their letters so that they would allocate them with the same number of plots in Sallaji. He said some of them were late to come which was the reason the Under 17 and the National Assembly members were fitted in their places. He was asked why priority was given to National Assembly members before the people of Nemasu and he said this was a political play. He said he was given instruction by the ministry. He was asked how some civil servants were allocated land in the main Sallaji layout and he answered that the ministry should be in a position to answer the question; but he added that there is back door compensation. He said it also depends on the type of documents presented.
The Lands Director said the ministry of local government is responsible for identifying lands for the Land Sale committee through the Department of Physical Planning. He said it is the Department of Lands compensates people on behalf of Land Sale committee. He said the committee sells lands based on the present market value and the GRA land valuation process. It was put to him that two plots were sold to two members of the Land Sale Committee and he responded that they were sold to them through the GRA valuations. He said the plots are more than 400 metres. He said the plots each cost D180, 000.00 which he said was the market value at the time. He said the majority of the payment was done on bond to be paid in bits.
He said the Swami Company being a property developer was sold a chunk of land in the Coastal layout. He said it cost millions and the receipt is in the files. He said a plot was D150, 000.00 in the Coastal layout which he was asked to multiply by the 160 plots that was sold to the Swami Company. He said that is 24 million dalasi but was sold at a discount of 15 million. He said the discount would be recovered by tax payment. He denied that a reserve land was not sold to Swami Company. He said the lands that AMRC sold in old Yundum is part of Yundum military barracks; adding AMRC should compensate those individuals.
He said a letter was issued from the Office of the President instructing AMRC to compensate those in the Army extension and the buffer zone. He said the AMRC should pay the change of user fees for the agricultural lands they bought and the same applies to SSHFC. He said the Sony Company in Mandinaring was allocated by the Ministry of Energy and stakeholders. He said the locals were consulted and the land was given to government. He said the present Alkalo made pronouncement that they can give an extra 300 metres which was given to Sony Company. He said the Katchically layout was designed in order to accommodate two categories of people, the Ports relocations and the Bakau community that was spearheaded by the National Assembly member of the area. He denied that there was a monopoly in allocating lands to staff of the various ministries at the Sallaji layout.
He was told that the Commssion was interested in knowing his properties and he said he has a mortgage property in Kanifing; that he is still paying for it and that he has another in Bijilo Annex. He was asked about his family members and he said his first wife did not own a property, but the second wife has more than 10 compounds that are not within the layout. Before he stood down, he told the Commission that he would be available anytime they need him to set light on any issue.
Source: Foroyaa |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
|
|
|
Momodou
Denmark
11743 Posts |
Posted - 10 Mar 2011 : 15:39:55
|
Kebba Ceesay testifies at Lands Commission
By Sanna Jawara
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Kebba Ceesay, former director of Physical Planning and Housing Department under the Ministry of Local Government and Lands, yesterday gave his evidence before the Lands Commission, chaired by Justice Mahoney at the High Court in Banjul.
Mr Ceesay’s evidence covered his qualification and experience as the director of Physical Planning and Housing, the Land Sales Committee, allocation of lands in the country, the role of physical planning among others. According to Kebba Ceesay, he joined the Department of Physical Planning in the year 1983 as a trainee, and was later promoted as technician, officer, development officer and director of Physical Planning from 2005 to 2008 and now a contractor with a construction company. The former Physical Planning director said he attended the Gambia Technical Training Institute (GTTI), went for further studies in the Republic of Taiwan, where he got bachelors in development and Nairobi in Kenya
Asked about the functions of the Department of Physical Planning and Housing , he said the department is responsible for land planning, development and housing policies of The Gambia. He added that it is also responsible for identification of lands and making of plans and preparing development plans for the Greater Banjul, Brikama and Basse. According to Ceesay, development plans were prepared since 1985 and the planning authorities normally sit and decide on the plans. Further commenting on the role of department, Ceesay said the identify and prepare plans in accordance with the area and if the plan proves to be sufficient the ministry is informed about it and in the course of the preparation, local people are normally informed from the level of the Alkalo to the land owners. “These prepared layouts do include social amenities such as mosques among others and the report is always submitted to the minister for approval. After the approval, the report is sent back to the Department of Lands and Survey for demarcation. The layouts are exhibited to the local people for identification of their lands and compensation,” he said.
He further stated that the main Sanlagie layout and extension were exhibited to the local people. “The Department of Lands is responsible for demarcation and compensation,” Ceesay explained to the Lands Commission. He explained that whenever people complain about their lands, they are advised to make an application to the Department of Lands and Survey. He recalled the difficulty they encountered in trying to compile list of people who lost their lands at the Sanlagie layout owing to the inconsistence they found in various claims made by people, most of whom claimed either on behalf of Kabilo ( wards) or individuals. Asked who was responsible for compiling list of people who lost their lands at the Sanlagie layout, Kebba Ceesay replied that both the Department of Lands and Survey and the Department of Physical Planning and Housing did the compilation exercise, but the figure for compensation was done by the Department of Lands and Survey.
The former Physical Planning boss accepted that the affected people of Brufut were supposed to be allocated lands in the Sanlagie layout and that the affected people of Nemasu were also supposed to be compensated. According to him, the planned layout map supposed to have signatures of the minister of Local Government and Lands, the director of Lands and Survey and the director of Physical Planning and Housing. He added that the planned map should also have a recommendation for demarcation which is always done by the Department of Lands and Survey. He acknowledged that the change of use of a land should be approved by the minister, but he could not recall any change of use during his tenure as the director , especially when a residential land was changed into a football field. “ I cannot remember such; it may happened when I was not in the office. The Bijilo extension is a very small land area and it was approved by the minister. I have never been part of any re-entry exercise during my tenure in office. The Land Sales Committee was set up to raise revenue for the Government and the first lands sales by the committee involved a land in Bijilo layout. This area was once given to the AMRC and later transferred to the Land Sales Committee. People applied to the Land Sales Committee and lands were sold to them based on the application. I am not aware of an event where land was sold and someone came to lodge complaint about the sale,” the former Physical Planning director told the Lands Commission.
Mr Ceesay recalled advertisements made about the land sales, but people were not turning up for the sale, because at the time they thought the price was high. The lands were later subdivided and payment for the lands sold were made at the Ministry of Finance. According to him, the evaluations of the Department of Lands and Survey, were meant to guide the Land Sales Committee. He further informed the Lands Commission that Coastal layout planning was done by the Department of Physical Planning and the demarcation was done by the Department of Lands and Survey. Still responding to series of questions from the Land Commission members, the former Physical Planning director said Swamp industries were only mandated to alter the plots of lands sold to them not the layout and the 40 percent given to the Swamp industries are recovered in tax they paid to the Government.
Mr Ceesay also denied knowledge that lands were sold to members of the Land Sales Committee as suggested by the Lands Commission. “If the AMRC applied for a change of use, they, the AMRC have to pay for the change of use fee. The Department of Physical Planning have officers in all the area councils throughout the country and they are supervised by the department . The local planning authority is vested in the local authorities such as the governor and area councils. The governor as the chairperson of the planning has to approve the plan and he must send it to the minister for approval,” he explained. Asked again as to how the Afro Investment Company acquired the land, he replied in the negative saying he has no idea about it. Further asked about the allocation of land to the Sony Company in Mandinaring, he said he has no idea.
According to Kebba Cessay, the land use to be identified by the Department of Physical Planning and Housing before a lease is granted. When question as to why his department did not update the country’s master plan, he responded that the master plan was not updated owing to what he called financial constraint. The former Physical Planning director hinted among other things that, his department made requests on two occasions to the ministry of Local Government and Finance for sponsoring the updating of the master plan but there was no response. Mr Ceesay said updating of the master plan needs finance and he also revealed that the Physical Planning is seriously under-staffed.
Explaining the circumstances surrounding the land problem between one Yaya Manneh and SSHFC, the former Physical Planning director said, SSHFC offered compensation to the said Yaya Manneh in both kind and cash for the potion of his fence that was involved in the layout, but Yaya Manneh refused and he was not open to negotiation. “SSHFC wrote letters to the ministry and Physical Planning requesting for his removal. The Government has a right to acquire land; his land was part of the layout. It was only his fence not the main building. His fence was demolished. Amadou Sonko bought a land from the Alkalo of Bijilo and the said land was part of the Bijilo layout. He was advised to stop developing the land, but he insisted on developing it, while his colleagues stopped developing theirs when they were advised that the area is a state land. I recalled a senior police officer who also got land in the said area and he stopped developing it when he was advised, but Amadou insisted on developing the place; as such his fence was knocked down,” Kebba Ceesay told the Commission.
Further commenting on people whose lands were demolished within the Bijilo layout, Ceesay recalled another lady who developed land located within the Bijilo layout which was prepared since 1992 as a pilot plan; she was told that the place is state land. According to Ceesay, the lady’s lawyer Mai Fatty came and the matter was explained to him, and the following day Antouman Gaye also came and thing was explained to him. “Some time later, we were made to understand that they wrote a petition to the Office of the President about the issue. We were asked to respond to the petition, I wrote the letter responding to the petition and there was no reply to us,” Kebba Ceesay explained to the Commission.
Source: Daily Observer |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
|
|
|
Momodou
Denmark
11743 Posts |
Posted - 16 Mar 2011 : 14:00:09
|
PS Manneh back at Lands Commission
By Sanna Jawara
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Permanent secretary No.2 at the Ministry of Local Government and Lands was Monday recalled to give more evidence at the ongoing Lands Commission chaired by Justice Mahoney at the High Court in Banjul.
Abdoulie Manneh’s appearance on Monday was his third appearance at the Commission to give evidence on land allocation related issues in the country, and the role of his ministry as well as Physical Planning and the Department of Lands and Survey among others. During Monday’s sitting, PS Manneh gave evidence with respect to certain issues and informed the Commission among other things, that the Department of Physical Planning and Housing is responsible for identification of lands for layout. However, he said he could not remember details of the criteria used in identification of lands.
He explained that the ministry does not go into the field for identification of lands, and that the factor used for identification of lands for layout could differ from layout to layout depending on the purpose of the layout concerned. When asked to explain some of the factors used in the identification of the Salaji Layout, PS Manneh replied among other things that the said layout was identified based on its’ location close to the development areas which were all considered. He described the National Planning Board as weak, because the planning authorities are not taking issues with the board. He insisted that the Department of Physical Planning and Housing is responsible for identification of lands, while the ministry is responsible for administration of both the Physical Planning and the Department of Lands and Survey.
PS Manneh further informed the Commission that the planning authority is chaired by somebody with knowledge and experience in that area, while the regional authorities are chaired by the governors. Asked if layouts are usually exhibited, The Ministry of Local Government and Lands PS responded in the affirmative. He told the Commission that as far as he knows all the layouts were exhibited including the Salaji Layout, but added that he cannot remember exactly when the Sanlaji layout was exhibited. Further asked whether he was aware of complaints made by landowners at the Salaji Layout that they only came to know about the layout when demarcation exercise was started by the officials of the Department of Lands and Survey, the PS responded that the complaints were all assessed and verified for the purpose of compensation. He further explained that considerations are usually made whenever layouts are identified, so as to avoid heavy cost for the state, because if developed properties are included in the layout the cost of such compensation is always expensive for the state.
Manneh admitted that the list of compensations with recommendations are sent to the ministry for approval, while demarcations are done by the Department of Lands and Survey. He further admitted that Salaji Layout was meant for compensation and that different claims were made with respect to compensation. He said some would prefer lands, while some will complain of less value for what was compensated to them, with others preferring money. “All these made the whole issue of compensation difficult and delay the process,” he added. He disclosed that another cause of delay in compensation was the number of people claiming ownership of lands, saying sometimes two or more people will claim ownership of one land among other claims.
At this juncture, PS Manneh was given a file to refresh his memory and was asked whether it is true that the Salaji Layout was meant for compensation of affected people in Brufut. He replied in the affirmative. Again questioned as to why somebody having 100x100 land should be compensated for 20 x 20, he said he knows that evaluation of lands is done by the Department of Lands and Survey, who look into the size and location of the land. He continued: “You cannot have a developed 100x100 land lease holder with undeveloped 100x 100 landholder without lease. These and many other criteria are considered in compensation and evaluation of lands. I endorsed evaluation and compensation list, but I cannot remember the compensation figures off head without reference to the records. The planning authorities endorsed the layout, and it is approved by the minister and the Cabinet. Approvals for an extension of layout does not necessary have to go to the minister for approval. The change of use of land is in two formats such as the change of use of land and the change of use of the nature of the land.”
Further commenting on land allocation related issues in the country, PS Manneh said the Bijilo extension was done sometime between 2003-2004 and the said extension was approved by the minister. He explained that there was no need for advertisement of Bijilo A and B extension, because there was a lot of pending compensation issues at the time and therefore advertising them would obviously make no sense. He further told the Commission that when he assumed office as PS, he met a policy in force which made provision for civil servants to be provided with lands in layouts as a way of motivating them; and that they also apply for allocation. He said he cannot remember any change of use in Nemasu much more the one involving a cemetery, and insisted that any change of use or re-entry of land must comply with the terms and conditions attached to the allocation of lands by the ministry.
He added: “There are conditions attached in allocation of lands. This restricted those allocated with lands from selling them. The conditions attached made among other provisions that, they must develop the land within a limited period, contrary of which will mean the land can be re-entered and re-allocated by the ministry, but I cannot remember any re-entry exercise conducted for the last seven to eight years. Re-entry is done depending on conditions and re-entry has a human face, the circumstances must be taken into consideration and the ministry always tries to have equity in all what it does with respect to land related issues, especially about re-entry issues.” PS Manneh was told to report back to the Commission today, Tuesday, March 15th, 2011 for more evidence from his ministry and its line departments.
Source: Daily Observer |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
|
|
|
Momodou
Denmark
11743 Posts |
Posted - 16 Mar 2011 : 14:01:45
|
PS Manneh continues testimony at Lands Commission
By Sanna Jawara
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Abdoulie Manneh, permanent secretary No.2 at the Ministry of Local Government and Lands, yesterday continued giving his testimony at the ongoing Lands Commission chaired by Justice Mahoney at the High Court in Banjul.
PS Manneh informed the Commission that sometimes the Land Sales Committee used to invite some of its’ members for field inspection and insisted that lands identified for sale by the Land Sales Committee are normally approved by the minister for Local Government and Lands. Asked how such approvals were done, PS Manneh replied that such approvals are normally done either through written paper or verbally and most of the committee's sales were results of forfeitures done by the government.
Further questioned as to whether there was any allocation of lands for the Land Sales Committee to sell, Abdoulie Manneh at first replied in the negative, but later admitted there was one allocation in Bijilo annex. According to him, this allocation was due to the fact that there were no compensation-related issues concerning the Bijilo annex. He denied having any knowledge of land dispute involving one Amadou Sonko as suggested by the Commission members. The issue of Amadou Sonko brought PS Manneh to refer to the State Lands Act, which according to him provided among other things that, all lands in the country belongs to the state. As such no alkalo has the authority to sell any state land and the Land Sales Committee is responsible for selling of lands.
Further responding to series of questions from the Commission, PS Manneh said when lands are identified for sale, they are normally advertised with details, applicants are invited to visit the map at the Lands Department and if necessary they are invited to visit the site of the land, and people do apply for allocation including swamp industries. Asked about the 40 percent discount for swamp industries, PS Manneh said the 40 percent discount is meant to encourage the private sector to invest in the country and at the end of the day, the swamp industries pay the 40 percent in the form of tax to the government. The Lands PS further explained to the Commission that the swamp industries have no authority to change the design of a layout, instead they are only allowed to develop the lands sold to them in the layout.
According to him, whenever a notice was put to him about change of design of a layout, he as the PS has the authority to send the director of Physical Planning and Housing to find out the issue and report it to him. “As the PS, I cannot take any technical decision without technical advice to that effect. The reserve price is often arrived through evaluation of land. I am not aware as to whether some Land Sales Committee members bought lands from the committee and I cannot tell whether the said lands were advertised, because I was not at the meeting when the sales took place. I was briefed about it,” PS Manneh told the Lands Commission. PS Manneh recalled a land being forfeited from one Mr Thomas, but he did not remember the exact rationale behind forfeiture of the said land. He acknowledged a land acquisition in Brikama by Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation (SSHFC) through the Ministry of Lands. However, he added that lands acquired in the provinces by SSHFC are done with the district authorities.
“The Ministry did not allocate lands in the provinces. The district authorities are responsible for allocating lands in the provinces with the approval of the minister for Local Government and Lands. I am aware of a study conducted by the GTA in 2010, with the aim of re-defining the Tourism Development Area (TDA). When the TDA land transfer is made, the mandate for GTA allocation of lands should be reviewed and there is a need to put in appropriate measures, because the Ministry is mandated to allocate lands in the TDA. However, that does not mean the Ministry can allocate lands without consultation. If the Ministry just allocate lands in the TDA without consulting the GTA, then that will not help in the development of the TDA,” PS Manneh hinted the Lands Commission.
He further explained that leased documents from the provinces are signed by the minister and the district authorities, adding that the Department of Physical Planning and Housing have officers in all the regions of the country and the same procedure is involved in allocation of lands in both the provincial and Greater Banjul Area. Asked about the land allocation to an Indian Company called Afro Natural Company in Sohm Village, West Coast Region, PS Manneh responded that the said allocation is news to him, as he was not aware of it. This prompted the Lands Commission to ask him about circumstances surrounding allocation of land to another company called Sony Enterprise in Mandinary Village in Kombo North, West Coast Region. PS Manneh replied by recalling the opening of the Petroleum plant in Mandinary Village and said before the opening of the said plant, an industrial area was identified in Mandinary sometime between 2004 and 2005. He added that the industrial area was meant to cope with the growing industrial needs of the country.
He continued: “The villagers were informed about the project and compensation was supposed to be done to the traditional owners of the land. However, it would be of interest to note that the State Lands Act made declaration that, all lands belong to the state and this included the Kombos, where Mandinary Village is located. Most of the time people misunderstood the issue of compensation. Though I am not a legal practitioner, but a state land is a state property. If you look at the Provincial Lands Act, user of lands comes into play. You cannot deprive somebody of the land he is earning his living from and you did not compensate him. For the Mandinary case, a team was set up, headed by the Ministry of Energy and the team comprised of Ministry of Local Government and Lands, GIPFZA and other institutions.”
The PS further told the Lands Commission that circumstances surrounding allocation of land to the Sony Enterprise was all recorded and the records are there to shed light on it. The Local Government PS revealed that he was allocated land sometime in 1983.
Source: Daily Observer |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
|
|
|
Momodou
Denmark
11743 Posts |
Posted - 16 Mar 2011 : 18:09:27
|
More Revelations at Lands Commission
By Lamin Sanyang
16-03-11
The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry for Local Government and Lands Mr. Abdoulie Manneh, testified at the Lands Commission in Banjul about the sale of land.
Mr. Manneh was asked whether all the sales of the Land Sale Committee were endorsed by him and he answered in the affirmative. He was asked whether the committee can directly ask for his endorsement without following the normal process. He answered in the affirmative. He said most of the land sold by the Land Sale Committee were forfeited lands and re-entries. He was asked whether the Committee has done any allocation which he answered in the positive. He said a chunk of land was allocated at Bijilo Annex A. He was asked about the occupants of the place before the allocation. He said there was no occupant at the time. It was put to him that the “Alkalo” of Bijilo sold land to some people at the place. He said it is stated in the State Land Act of 1976 that all land belongs to the State which means the “Alkalo” has no authority to sell the land.
PS Manneh was questioned as to how Arab Gambia Islamic Bank (AGIB) acquired land from the Committee. He said it would be difficult to remember off record. At this juncture, a bunch of document was passed for him to refresh his memory. He still insisted that he has to go through the records.
He was asked the reason the Land Sale Committee did not attach the sketch plan and the size of the land to the documents of the lands sold. He said the committee identifies a land and advertises it to the general public where it would indicate the location, size and dimension. He said the interested person goes to the Lands Office to see the map and is taken to the site. He was asked whether all the lands are advertised which he answered in the affirmative.
Ps Manneh was questioned on how they arrived to the 40 percent discount for the Swami Industrial Company at the Coastal layout. He said it was advertised and apart from Swami Industrial Company, two other parties showed interest. He said they have all bid for a discount but the Swami Industrial Company bid for the least discount. He further said the other reason was that Swami wanted the land for a housing project and the end product is that the plots would be sold and Swami would pay grant duties to the government. It was put to him “what if Swami put a change of design for the layout”. He said he thinks the consensus was that Swami can do the development, but the layout cannot be changed. He was asked what would happen when the layout is changed. He said he would send the Director of Physical Planning to find out and send a report to him. At this stage he told the Commission that as PS he cannot take technical decisions without the technical department. He said he does ask the technicians to take action base on law.
It was put to him that certain members of the Committee were sold land which he said he was aware but did not know whether it was advertised as he was not in the country at the time. He was asked how the price was arrived at the meeting. He said he was not at the meeting and has not seen the documents. At this juncture, it was put to him that records have it that he attended the September meeting where the price was discussed and the document was passed for him to refresh his memory. He said he never saw the document but said it showed the members of the committee and not those who attended the meeting. He said when he returned to the country, he was briefed.
PS Manneh was questioned about the 50-50 agreement between the Ministry and Mr. Thomas in the Coastal layout. He said he knows that the land was forfeited from Mr. Thomas. He said it was not an ordinary forfeited land but it was something which he cannot remember without the document. He was asked about the partnership between AMRC and the local people who should pay the change of use fees. He said at any point in time, the person entitled to the land should make the payment. He said the same thing goes to the SSHFC. He further revealed that capital gain is not paid by the Lands registration. He was asked how SSHFC acquired lands in Brikama which he said through the local people. He was asked about compensation which he said is done by the ministry through the Governor’s office. He said the issues of lands in the provinces are dealt with by the District Authority, but the leased are prepared by the ministry.
He was asked about the reduction of the Tourism Development Area (TDA). He said he did not think there was any reduction. But he said he understands that in 2010, the Tourism Authority conducted a study to redefine the TDA. He was asked whether there was any transfer and he said he would not know because at the time, he was transferred from the ministry. He said the ministry is involved in the administrative aspect of the TGA. He said the local government is responsible for allocating lands in the TDA, but added that it does not mean that it should be done in a manner that would be negative to the development in the area. He said there should be consultation with the TGA because they are the ones who know where Five Star or First Star hotels are required. He said before any transfer, the application should be received by the TGA so that assessment would be done from both parties.
He said the leased document for the provinces is signed by the District Authority. He was asked about the change of use in the provinces which he said is the same procedure, but said he has never seen any change of use from the provinces. He was asked about the Afro Investment Company in Sohm Village in the Kombo East. He said at the time of the allocation, he was not in the ministry. He was asked about the Sony Company in Mandinaring in the Kombo North District. He said the Gambia Petroleum has fuel storage in Mandinaring; adding that after the opening of the plant, an industrial area was identified in Mandinaring based on the directive given to the Ministry to find more industrial areas. He said that was how Mandinaring and Brikama were allocated. He was asked whether the local people were consulted which he answered in the affirmative. He was asked about the compensation of the local people. He said Mandinaring is in kombo North and the State Land Act said that the land at kombo North is part of the State land. He said people misunderstand the concept of compensation. He said state land is state land. He said when somebody is disposed a land from farming, the law said the person should be compensated. He said it does not mean the person owns the land but has a user right and that user right should be compensated. He was asked when the locals were consulted. He said he cannot answer that, but the technical team should be in a position to answer that question. He was asked whether they have considered the health factors which he answered in the affirmative.
PS Manneh said the circumstances surrounding the allocation of Sony Company were well documented, but said it would be difficult to remember off record. He was asked which department should be contacted for the file. He said the file name is Sony Files; and that the Department of Lands and Survey should be contacted. He was asked about his personal properties and he said he only owns one property in Kotu layout where he lived. He said it was allocated to him in 1983. He was asked whether his immediate family owns a property which he replied in the negative. He was asked to stand down from the box.
Source: Foroyaa |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
|
|
|
toubab1020
12312 Posts |
Posted - 16 Mar 2011 : 18:43:46
|
Any Bantaba readers who have a plot listed here better take quick steps to safeguard them by producing their documents before 28th March,"or their allocations may be forfeited."
http://observer.gm/africa/gambia/article/ultimatum-to-certain-plot-owners-at-salagi-layout
Ultimatum to certain plot owners at Salagi layout
Africa » Gambia
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
The Commission of Inquiry into land allocation in The Gambia called the Lands Commission requests all persons who were allocated plots at Salagi Layout bearing the plot numbers listed below, to produce their allocation letters and receipts of fees paid, to the Commission of Inquiry Secretariat at National Environment Agency, Jimpex Road, Kanifing.
According to a press release from the Commission, all persons should adhere to the call before the 28th day of March 2011 or their allocations may be forfeited.
Below is the list of plot numbers at the Salagi layout:
Plot Numbers:
1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 17, 18, 19, 22, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 35, 36, 37, 38, 42, 45, 47, 50, 52, 57, 59,62, 66, 70, 71, 72, 74, 79, 83, 88, 93, 94, 97, 98, 100, 102, 103, 104, 105, 108, 110, 111, 113, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 122, 124, 129, 130, 132, 133, 136, 137, 142, 143, 145, 147, 148, 154, 155, 157, 164, 166, 167, 168, 170, 171, 172, 175, 176, 177, 181, 183, 184, 187, 188, 190, 195, 197, 199, 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 207, 209, 210, 211, 213, 214, 215, 216, 218, 219, 221, 224, 225, 226, 229, 230, 232, 236, 238, 239, 240, 243, 244, 250, 252, 253, 255, 259, 263, 264, 266, 267, 268, 271, 272, 273, 276, 280, 281, 282, 285, 286, 291, 292, 293, 294, 297, 300, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 307, 308, 309, 310, 312, 313, 314, 315, 317, 321, 323, 325, 328, 329, 330, 335, 336, 338, 339, 341, 342, 343, 354, 355, 356, 356A, 356B, 357, 359, 361, 363, 366, 368, 370, 372, 373, 376, 377, 378, 380, 381, 382, 385, 388, 390, 392, 393, 395, 396, 397, 399, 402, 403, 404, 406, 407, 409, 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 417, 420, 421, 425A, 426, 427, 431, 432, 436, 437, 438, 442, 443, 444, 445, 448, 450, 451, 453, 454, 460, 461, 462, 464, 465, 466, 470, 471, 472, 473, 474, 475, 478, 479, 480, 481, 483, 484, 490, 491, 493, 504, 506, 509, 512, 514, 515, 516, 517, 518, 519, 524, 528, 532, 534, 535, 537, 538, 540, 541, 542, 543, 545, 546, 547, 549, 550, 551, 552, 553, 554, 556, 557, 559, 560, 565, 566, 570, 575, 576, 580, 586, 588, 589, 591, 592, 593, 594, 595, 598, 599, 603, 604, 605, 608, 610, 611, 613, 614, 617, 619, 628, 631, 633, 636, 637, 638, 640, 641, 646, 648, 653, 654, 655, 657, 658, 662, 663, 664, 665, 668, 670, 671, 672, 674, 675, 677, 679, 681, 684, 685, 686, 687, 690, 695, 696, 697, 698, 700, 703, 705, 711, 712, 714, 715, 717, 718, 720, 725, 726, 730, 737, 739, 740, 750, 753, 754, 759, 761, 762, 763, 766, 768, 770, 771, 773, 774, 780, 781, 782, 783, 787, 788, 791, 792, 794, 799, 801, 808, 810, 811, 812, 813, 815, 816, 822, 824, 825, 827, 830, 831, 832, 833, 835, 836, 837, 838, 840, 844, 844, 845, 848, 853, 854, 856, 859, 861, 863, 865, 866, 867, 869, 870, 871, 872, 873, 875, 877, 878, 880, 882, 883, 891, 892, 893.
Author: Daily Observer
|
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
|
Edited by - toubab1020 on 16 Mar 2011 18:47:48 |
|
|
|
Momodou
Denmark
11743 Posts |
Posted - 17 Mar 2011 : 13:59:39
|
High Commissioner Sambou testifies at Lands Commission
By Sanna Jawara
Thursday, March 17, 2011
 Ismaila Sambou, former minister of Local Government and Lands now The Gambia’s high commissioner to the Republic of Senegal with accreditation to the Republics of Mali and Guinea Bissau, yesterday gave his evidence at the ongoing Lands Commission chaired by Justice Mahoney at the High Court in Banjul.
Ismaila Sambou talked about his appointment as the then Secretary of State for the Local Government and Lands, the responsibilities assigned to the said portfolio, allocation of lands in different layouts such as the Sanlaji and Bijilo Layouts among others. The former Local Government and Lands minister also adduced evidences covering national planning board, planning authorities across the Gambia, the allocation of lands to the Sony Enterprise located in Mandinaring and Afro Investment Company in Sohm Village, Kombo East.
When the former minister mounted the witness box, he informed the Commission that he was appointed Secretary of State for Local Government and Lands on the 24th of March 2005, responsible for administering matters relating to the Department of Physical Planning, Department of Lands and Survey, Area Councils, Community Development as well as NGO Affairs and the Religious matters. According to Sambou, the Departments of Physical Planning and Housing and Lands and Survey are the two key technical departments of the ministry responsible for judicious administration of lands and are also responsible for effective and efficient managing of the Gambia’s land resources. He mentioned series of effective development projects initiated and implemented by the two departments since the year 2007, with assistance from Japan Technical Support, The Netherlands and German Technical Support.
He recalled the assistance rendered by the German Technical Support in preparation of a physical planning for the Greater Banjul Are, which expired in the year 2000. “As a minister, taking decisions on matters or submitting to the cabinet was my responsibility. I ensured that major policy matters were referred to the cabinet and did give out instructions about how professional issues should be conducted. The permanent secretary was my focal point at the ministry; the PS did advice me on most of the technical issues and the PS scrutinised minutes before submitting them to me for approval and I also take actions as recommended. I took over office from Manlafi Jarju, who was appointed on the 16th of March 2002 and he was removed on the 24th of March 2005. I was appointed effective 25th March 2005 and removed from office on the 24th of February 2010,” he explained to the Lands Commission.
At that juncture he was asked to explain the functions of the National Planning Board, and he responded that he did not find any National Planning Board by the time he assumed office in 2005. “To be honest with you, I cannot tell you anything about the National Planning Board. The planning authorities are different from the National Planning Authority. The planning authorities comprised of different departments which sit and discuss technical issues from a technical point of view and their decisions are always forwarded to the minister for approval,” Mr Sambou said.
Asked as to who approved the Sanlagie Layout, Ismaila Sambou replied in the negative saying the Sanlaji Layout was approved by his predecessor Manlafi Jarju and demarcation of the said layout was done well before he (Sambou) assumed office. However, he acknowledged that he was briefed about the layout by Manlafi Jarju. According to him, the Sanlaji Layout was not enough for allocations as such, plans for its extension was conceived and the plan was taken to the cabinet for approval, but before the approval he was removed from the office. Again asked how an approved layout looks like, Sambou said the said plan did not get to that stage, because it was not approved in his presence. The former Local Government minister said the proposed Sanlaji Layout extension was exhibited to the local communities for the purpose of compensation. Further commenting on the main Sanlaji Layout, he said he could recall that compensations were made to some people while others complained of the amount given to them.
Asked about the change of land use, Ismaila Sambou said the change of land use has to be always exercised with common sense as human beings, as such he always gives priority to cemeteries, but he cannot remember a single event when he made order for cemetery to be changed into residential area. “I have never made any order for a cemetery to be changed into residential area. Such would not be rational for us as human beings and I know nothing about Bijilo and Brufut layouts. My predecessor, Manlafi Jarju must know a lot about them. I know nothing about Bijilo extensions A and B, the Brufut Layout, the Land Sales Committee, because I was not in the office then,” Ismaila Sambou told the Lands Commission.
This explanation made Ismaila Sambou to produce a document he alleged to have received from Manlafi Jarju as part of handing over of the office to him (Sambou) as the new minister for the ministry. Mr Sambou started reading the content of the letter but he was later asked to give a copy of it to the Lands Commission, which he did. According to Sambou, his predecessor briefed him about some controversial issues like allocation in Bijilo Layout among others. He said he never participated in any re-entry exercise and the allocation of land to one Amadou Sonko was done during the tenure of his predecessor. However, the former minister revealed that the said Amadou Sonko lodged complains to him and it was later realised that the said land was part of the state land, which the alkalo of Bijilo sold to him whether intentionally or not. According to the former minister, compensation could be possible for Amadou Sonko based on humanitarian ground as he had developed the land to certain extent. “I never instructed Saikou Sanyang, deputy PS at the Ministry of Local Government and Lands to write any letter of compensation for Amadou Sonko. The allegation is baseless and unfounded. I only suggested that the said Amadou could be compensated on humanitarian grounds, cognizant of the development he made on the land,” he stated.
About the TDA
Asked what he knew about demarcation of the Tourism Development Area (TDA), Ismaila Sambou said he had no idea about the demarcation of the TDA, because by then he was not in the office. However, he acknowledged that the GTA under its former director general, Alieu Mboge was allocating lands within the TDA and the issue was raised for address, but Mboge insisted on GTA allocating lands on the grounds that they were allocating them for the development of the country. According to Ismaila Sambou, there was no allocation made by the ministry within the TDA during his tenure; as such he could not tell whether the ministry allocated lands after his departure from the office.
On Afro Investment Company
When questioned what he knew about an Indian company called Afro Investment Company, Ismaila Sambou said he did not know the name of the company mentioned to him, but he recalled receiving some Indian people, who claimed to be investors wanting to invest in the Gambia and were looking for land to that effect. “I told the Indian people I have no state land and I informed the governor about the issue. The Indians were later asked to go to Kombo East, where I called the chief of the area and informed him about the investors mission and the chief welcomed the idea of investment in agriculture in his village of Sohm. The villagers held discussion with the Indians and they agreed to allocate land for the agricultural investment purpose. I personally did not know who sent the Indians to me, but as the minister, when they came and introduced their mission to me, I contacted the chief of the area as my focal point in the area. I have never gone to Sohm Village for the project. I don’t go to these villages, I only used to contact chiefs as the focal points for the ministry as far as state land issues are concerned,” Ismaila Sambou again explained to the Lands Commission.
He cited the State Lands Act Cap 202 to back up his comment. According to him, this act vested state land authority in the alkalo, chiefs and the minister. This piece of explanation also made Ismaila Sambou to produce and read a letter, which claimed to have been written by the people of Sohm Village and signed by the alkalo, expressing their profound gratitude and appreciation to him as the minister for bringing what they called wonderful development project into the village. The Lands Commission requested for the said letter also to be copied and it was accordingly copied. The former minister then went on to what he described as his constant carefulness about issues, especially those relating to his official responsibilities considering his age and experience.
About the Sony Enterprise
Responding to a question about allocation of a land to the Sony Enterprise, Ismaila Sambou said he knows no idea about the said enterprise much more allocation of land to them. He recalled that Ousman Jammeh, the then Energy Minister once asked him about the Sony Enterprise and he replied to him that he knows nothing about the project. “I know nothing about the said enterprise and I have never seen their officials. I have never visited them and they don’t even know me. The Energy minister Ousman Jammeh, came to collect my technicians, went to the village and discussed the allocation with them. They brought the document to me for approval and I approved as my duty is an administrator responsible for approving. When I was removed from the office, there was no proper handing over to my predecessor. I cannot call that a handing over because the NIA officers who came to my office were making everything fast, they were rushing things. In about every three or so minutes their boss was calling them and they were saying are almost done. That was not a handing over of office to my predecessor,” Ismaila Sambou told the Commission.
Further responding to questions posed to him by the Commission, Ismaila Sambou denied knowledge about whether the Ministry of Lands’ officials alone were allocated 45 plots in the Sanlaji Layout, because according to him, he was not in office and nothing about allocation was brought to his notice. He said he had no state land allocated to him and he accepted that his wife got land, but not a state land.
Source: Dailyobserver |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
|
|
Topic Locked
