Windhoek
Urban and Rural Development Minister Sophia Shaningwa has ordered all local authorities in the country to compile a register on available land – serviced or unserviced – in their areas.
Shaningwa made the request in a letter dated June 4 2015, sent to all regional governors, mayors and chief executive officers of local authorities, saying the information is needed for the government to devise an integrated plan on land delivery throughout the country.
“The ministry is in the process of devising an integrated plan on land delivery and the information we are requesting is crucial for this, and will help the ministry to articulate the land servicing needs and plans of local authorities better and in a coherent manner,” she said in her letter.
The due date for submission of the requested information was last week Tuesday. Speaking to New Era on Friday, Shaningwa could not confirm whether all local authorities had submitted the requested information.
“Many of them [local authorities] have responded positively. I must still check to see if all local authorities provided the information,” she said.
Regarding the sale of large tracts of land, a practice which has landed the Windhoek City Council in hot water over the past couple of months, Shaningwa said the practice must stop because it has resulted in many land applicants being told by local authorities that there is no land available.
“I have noticed local authorities selling large chunks of land to individuals or parties while we all very well know that we have thousands of fellow Namibians who are also in need of land,” said a concerned Shaningwa.
“Any land allocations that are not in line with the vision, equity and fairness goals of the government will not enjoy my support or approval.”
Meanwhile, Swanu president Usutuaije Maamberua last week gave notice in the National Assembly that in light of the wide-ranging land concerns in the country, he wants Shaningwa to recommend to President Hage Geingob that he set up a commission of inquiry regarding matters related to skewed land allocation in municipalities, with special emphasis on Windhoek.
Alternatively, Maamberua wants to know whether the minister would consider instituting a broad investigation into matters relating to skewed land allocations in municipalities and to order the Windhoek City Council to halt the allocation of huge chunks of land while she [Shaningwa] is investigating the matter.