By AdamaMakasuba
Honourable Sheriff Abba Sanyang, Minister of Lands, Regional Government and Religious Affairs, has urged alkalolu and chiefs of Kombo South to ensure that government reserves in their areas are protected and make sure that settlements do not encroach along waterways and swampy areas.
He was speaking during a discussion on issues surrounding communal land disputes, encroachments into state land reserves and Layouts, the Tourism Development Area, and lands confiscated from former President Jammeh by the State among other topical issues related to land administration.
“Ministry will in due course develop and introduce a standardized unified land transfer form and stamp for all Alkalolu in the country,” he said.
He expressed his determination to put a stop to uncoordinated settlement development and expansions through the stringent application of development control laws.
The Department of Physical Planning and Housing according to him will embark on widespread demolition of properties blocking waterways in all parts of the country.
He urged local authorities to desist from documenting the illegal sale of land reserves in government layouts and reserves as well as the duplicitous documentation of properties.
Buba Sanyang, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Land, also talked about reports of former Alkalolu still administering property documents he, therefore, urged the public to come forward with any such cases.
He also discouraged Alkalolu from documenting disputed lands and those that are subject to Court proceedings. In addition, he said they should desist from levying charges on processing land transfers. The practice he said is illegal and ought to stop.
He said the ministry will not hesitate to reprimand any Alkalo found to be involved in dubious land transactions.
The chief of Kombo South, Fa Lalo Touray said he had officially written to all alkalolu in Kombo South, urging them to refrain from documenting transactions on properties of former President Jammeh that are confiscated by the commission to the state.
He added that government policies are to be adhered to and as such, any local authority found to be going against the interest of the state should be called to order. He called for greater vigilance in ensuring that property sketch plans match measurements stipulated on land transfer forms to avoid confusion and conflicts between parties.
The chief also advocated for the proper control of real estate agencies and their activities in growth centers.