(DAILY MAIL) State repossess undeveloped land
State repossess undeveloped landBy NKOLE CHITALA and CYNTHIA MWALE
GOVERNMENT says it will repossess undeveloped land once it completes the land audit aimed at establishing how much land is available in the country.
And Legacy Holdings has finally complied with the ultimatum to begin construction of the Hearts of Africa housing and office complex.
Minister of Lands Peter Daka said with the finalisation of the land audit Government will give audience to committed developers.
Mr Daka, however, said, “We are not interested in repossessing land… we want people to develop it and when we do that land audit we will give audience to would-be developers.
“As Government we want to give this land to others and have it titled. Therefore, really it’s not in our best interest to repossess land from people,” he said.
Speaking in an interview Mr Daka urged would-be developers to apply for land and show their financial status by developing the land.
“What I haven’t been happy about is that most Zambians get pieces of land because they are entitled and use their national registration cards to show the village where they come from, and we give them land.
But in turn, we find that on their land there is a beautiful house passed on to a foreigner who has no status in the country,” he said.
He warned people acquiring land dubiously that they risked stern action from the Government.
‘‘But in turn, we find that on their land there is a beautiful house passed on to a foreigner who has no status in the country. That foreigner might have entered (Zambia) illegally,” he said.
And Mr Daka said Government was not stopping investors from development by issuing ultimatums, but was merely urging developers to expedite their projects.
He was commenting on whether Legacy Holdings has complied with a three-month deadline Government had given it to comply with the initial development plan.
“We, as a ministry, want to see development and an ultimatum is an impetus to ask someone to move quickly. They have to stand up to the challenge. For us, we will support genuine investment. We don’t envisage any problem,” he said.
Mr Daka said Government was interested in the creation of wealth, jobs and empowerment for economic growth.
posted by MrK @ 2:50 PM
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