We give land freely as long as it’s for development purposes – Bwile Royal Establishment

Traditional leaders in Senior Chief Puta’s area in Chienge District in Luapula Province have maintained that they do not sale Customary Land.

The Traditional Leaders explained that they give the Land for free to any person who wants to acquire Land either settlement or for productive ventures adding that the portions of land is in accordance to their desirable qualities.

ZANIS reports that this came to light when the Traditional Leaders made a presentation recently during training in Land Administration for Traditional Leaders, Civic Leaders and Chienge Town Council organized by the Zambia Land Alliance (ZLA) in Chienge.

Sub-Chief Kwapa said the Bwile Royal Establishment ( BRE ) has well stipulated guidelines for giving out Land , as well as penalties for any Village Headperson found wanting in land administration.

He explained that what is received from a would be settler in the Village is not a Sale Price but a token which is mostly in form of a chicken.

And Village Headperson Kasoma Puta said the Royal Establishment has appointed Village Planners who stipulates the sizes of residential plots and standards that need to be followed.

The Village Headperson also appealed to Planning Department at the Chienge Town Council to consider capacity building the Village Planners.

He said the standard plot size 21 by 28 meters plots and that any one given a plot is given a period of 29 Months in which to develop it, otherwise it is repossessed to be given to a person willing to develop it.

And Senior Chief Puta of the BWILE People in Chienge District in Luapula province says he is ready to release part of the his customary land to the Local Authority as long as the latter shows capacity to develop the existing State Land.

Senior Chief Puta says what has been causing his apparent refusal to release part of his Land to the Chienge Town Council has been mainly its failure to develop the State Land.

ZANIS reports that the Senior Chief said this during a training in Land Administration for Traditional Leaders, Civic Leaders and Chienge Town Council organized by the Zambia Land Alliance (ZLA)

The Chief who spoke through his Senior Advisor, Daniel Mutuka said Traditional Leaders are aware that they are part of Government, and as such they have to support development efforts.

“ It is incumbent upon Management at the Council to prove themselves worthy of Administering Land for the benefit of residents in Chienge District,” he said.

And responding to the offer, Chienge Council Chairperson, Luckson Mwape thanked the Traditional Leader for the good gesture.

He admitted that the Local Authority had in the past failed to Administer Land properly, but was quick to add that the reason was because of lack of trained Staff.

Mr. Mwape assured the Traditional Authority that qualified Staff capable of developing the District effectively . have been engaged.