PARLIAMENT this week passed the Land and Titles (Amendment) Bill 2014.
The (Amendment) Bill seeks to increase transparency and openness in the process of land allocation and to provide an administrative system that should stimulate better customer service and set the platform for a fairer, efficient, justifiable and equitable land allocation system.
As such, the Bill has established a Land Board comprised of key stakeholders who will take on the power to deal with interest in land and all other related powers and functions.
This Land Board is comprised of more than one person to deliberate on applications for land allocation and related issues, but importantly it frees all officers responsible for land administration of the Act and this includes the Commissioner of Lands.
This Commissioner of Lands will focus on regulatory and administrative matters.
Further, the amendments will have a positive effect in enhancing government revenue.
Other Bills passed in the current sitting include the Magistrates’ Courts (Amendment) Bill 2014, Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Bill 2014, 2013 Supplementary Appropriation Bill 2014, Constitution (Status of Magistrates) (Amendment) Bill 2014, Constitutional Offices (terms and Conditions of Service)(Judicial Reform) (Amendment) Bill 2014, 2014 Supplementary Appropriation Bill 2014, Income Tax (Amendment) Bill 2014, Mines and Minerals (Amendment) Bill 2014, Political Parties Integrity Bill 2014, Sales Tax (Amendment) Bill 2014 and the Land and Titles (Amendment) Bill 2014
By EDNAL PALMER
