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Momodou
Denmark
11831 Posts |
 Posted - 17 Sep 2007 : 16:45:05
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Bill Establishing Land Commission Passed
By Bubacarr K. Sowe
A Bill providing for the establishment of a Commission to oversee and control land matters in The Gambia was passed or enacted by the National Assembly on Monday, September 10.
The Land Commission Bill of 2007 envisages the creation of a land commission as required by the 1997 Constitution. Ismaila Sambou, Secretary of State for Local Government and Lands, who introduced the bill to the legislators, said due to changes in economic trends, increasing demands and pressure on the limited land resources, it had become necessary to put in place policies and procedures that would ensure a more efficient and judicious land administration mechanism in The Gambia.
Mr. Sambou said this law would ensure that land disputes are reduced. He said: "As the need for housing and other land related uses increase, due to population growth and rapid urbanization, land utilization activities correspondingly increase, necessitating new regulatory framework.
Sidia Jatta, the representative for Wuli West, said he expected a "more robust legislation" because land is a very complicated matter. Mr. Jatta opined that it is a right for every citizen in the country to have affordable land for shelter. The Wuli West Member complained that there are rich people in the country who have numerous plots of land and they are still grabbing more plots, while the poor Gambians cannot acquire even the smallest plot. Mr. Jatta revealed that sometime ago, some National Assembly Members were asked to apply for plots in Bijilo, but they were turned down despite meeting all the requirements. He said a commission of this nature has a difficult task to accomplish, and members of the commission must assume work immediately.
Foday Jibani Manka, the member for Janjanbureh, described the bill as important, but questioned the relationship between the commission and district chiefs, since the latter deal with customary land issues.
Babanding Daffeh, of Kiang Central, said land is as precious as diamond now and its administration requires proper regulation. "Land is so expensive that the average Gambian cannot buy even a ten-by-ten metres square," Mr. Daffeh said. He also said the average Gambian cannot buy land due to the high demand for land by non-Gambians who have the financial strength to buy as much as they wish. He further said the price for land should be reduced in order for the poor citizens to have plots for dwelling.
The member for Jimara, Mama Kandeh, said the issue of land concerns every Gambian, their children, grand children and great grand children.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 109/2007, 17 - 18 September 2007
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