Minister of Lands and Natural Resources Jean Kapata says a comprehensive policy framework is critical to effective and efficient land administration and management.
Ms. Kapata said Zambia has not had a comprehensive national land policy since independence.
She explained that it is for this reason that in September 2015, government re-started the land policy making process which had stalled in 2006 on account of the Constitutional Review process whose outcomes were considered critical to guide land policy management.
The Minister said this when she delivered a ministerial statement on the outcome of the National validation meeting for the draft national land policy which was held in January 2018.
She explained that an extensive consultation process was undertaken to ensure wide stakeholder participation in the process.
The Minister said traditional leaders rejected the draft policy because there was no mention of Chiefs in the policy document thereby, implying that the institution of Chieftaincy was being abolished.
She added that, the document implied that chiefs had no role in land administration and management.
The Minister further stated that none of the submissions by the traditional leaders had been taken on board and that they were not consulted throughout the process.
Ms. Kapata stated that she appeared before the House of Chiefs to avail the policy document and receive further comments prior to the National Validation meeting.
She explained that the meeting was also intended to provide an opportunity for chiefs to make observations on how the revised draft had responded to the feedback raised.
Ms. Kapata revealed that the meeting was positive with chiefs indicating that the draft presented was an improvement from the previous draft shared with a promise to write to her ministry with more comments and suggestions.
She further explained that having not received further written comments from the House of Chiefs, her Ministry proceeded to plan for the National Validation meeting.
She disclosed that the reaction by the traditional leaders during the National Validation meeting was saddening as the objective of validating the document with key stakeholders was not achieved.
Ms. Kapata howeve,r noted that despite this set back her Ministry remains committed to finalising the process and will continue to seek opportunities to engage with traditional leaders who are key stakeholders.
She explained that her Ministry will engage in positive dialogue and iron out any misunderstanding that may have occurred in coming up with a national land policy that will stand the test of time.
What did she really say, what a convoluted statement.
Exactly @Masamuso. Jean the Baptist is repeating the same thing she has been saying since Chiefs worked out on her. Chiefs seem unimportant (some claim they’re not) but these guys drop surprises as Jean Kapata learned rather late. If I was in her position I would simply listen to them and do what they want…put some jargon…then Move on. 2021 is fast approaching. These policies tend to be tied to political regimes.
ine nshumfwilepo nangu fimo
This is the problem with these so called ministers of today who think that simply because they have now started taking baths with expensive soap rather than Lifeboy that they are different from the rest. All of a sudden they think they are more important than the chiefs and somehow consider them as ignorant. Chiefs and people in rural areas both men and women need to be valued and heard. Their opinions matter just as everyone else matters. Just by looking at this minister dressed in a bright red jacket at an office just shows you how backwards she is. Professional business attire needs to be toned down and should be dark blues, black or grey. She looks as if she is going to a party or some celebration. If these people had offices abroad they would be the laughing stock!
She is building a lodge or is it some apartment in Solwezi near the Airport using Angolans; I wondered what the secret is, can HE + investigative wing check these facts. ANGOLANS
She can build a lodge but with no brains in tourism and hospitality, it will just be ruins. Was she not the minister of tourism of arts who failed miserably at he job? These people think stealing money and building things will make them successful! It will be ruins and all it will be.