Traditional Authority (TA) Mwansambo in Nkhotakota district has proved to be a role model in the ongoing customary land registration with over 90 percent of people having received their land parcel certificates.
This was disclosed during a learning visit in the area by traditional leaders from Chikwawa District.
Eight districts, namely; Karonga and Rumphi in the Northern Region, Nkhotakota, Mchinji and Kasungu in the Central Region and the Southern Region districts of Phalombe, Chikwawa and Nsanje were used by government in piloting the Customary Land Act.
In his remarks, TA Mwansambo said the success was due to efforts by chiefs and community leaders who took a leading role in sensitising people on the importance to have their land registered.
“At first, there were doubts due to various misconceptions, but after several meetings, we all agreed that that’s the way to go. There are about 24 Village Development Committees (VDCs) in my area, together with ministry of lands officals, we have successfully registered almost 90 percent of land parcels,” he said adding that apart from that land holders are receiving certificates of ownership, the project has also helped them resolve long lasting land disputes through community tribunals.
He said through the project, they have resolved over 66 outstanding cases.
“A lot of people are verifying their land parcels and every family is happy with the exercise, and believe me, land wrangles issues will be things of the past,” he said.
Nkhotakota District Commissioner (DC) Ben Tohno Matengeni said following the success of the pilot project in the are of TA Mwansambo, plans are underway to roll out the program to the TAs.
His counterpart, Chikwawa District Commissioner Martin Kamba said the chief’s visit was very important as the sharing of idea between them will help the to implement the project with speed.
“The chiefs have learnt one or two things which will help them in engaging the commutes on the importances of the exercise. Land ownership is very important everywhere, and as a district council, it is our duty to protect people’s land and that through registration,” he said.
During the learning visit, Ministry of Lands officials handed-over land ownership certificates to the communities.
One of the recipients, Violet Empraim said she was happy now that she is sure the land fully belongs to her.
Ephraim, who is married with a child, received a sole-holder certificate for her 5-acre land parcel.
“Tradition has been denying us acces to own land. When your husband dies, his relatives claim ownership of land, leaving you and children with nothing. I am now happy that I now own land,” she said.
Acting Team Leader for the Land Reform Implementation Unit, Masida Mbano said with the success of the pilot project, their next focuses is to expand the project to other districts.
“It has been a challenging process for communities to understand the exercise but due to sensitization meetings which involved chiefs and community leaders at every stage of the process made them to appreciate the need to own land,” he said
