We wish to commend the Ministry of Lands for sharing the draft land policy with the public. By sharing the policy publicly, the Ministry is fulfilling its obligation under Article 7 of the Access to Information Act which requires that public institutions proactively disclose such kind of information with the public within 30 days of the generation of the information. We therefore commend the Ministry for its compliance.
This is the first land policy in the making for the country since Independence. While long overdue, it is indeed a welcome development. EFSCRJ will review the document and share its findings and recommendations. We urge all citizens, especially established organizations and institutions within the public, private and civil society sectors including the National Human Rights Commission, media, political parties and all stakeholders to equally closely review the draft policy for feedback.
The access, ownership and use of Land is not only a matter of peace and security but also, it is a fundamental human right issue that impacts directly on the social, cultural, economic and political rights and wellbeing of an individual, a family, a community and indeed the whole country. Land is such an indispensable asset that there cannot be peace, development and prosperity without citizens having the ability and freedom to access, own and use it. This is why land had always been a source of conflict when it is not managed properly. In fact, the basis of independence is land because without land there cannot be a nation.
For that matter we welcome this policy. In so doing, we recall the words of the late Vice President Alieu Badara Joof who spoke quite passionately about the situation of land in this country at the Cabinet retreat in 2022. He did not only call for the creation of a land policy but lamented the misuse and unfairness in land management in the country. He highlighted the need to preserve land for citizens today and posterity, noting that priority should be given to citizens to own land including to protect the rights of minorities to access and own land, among other issues.
EF Small Centre remains highly concerned at the precarious situation of land ownership and use in this country. We expect that with this policy and the subsequent legal and administrative reforms that will follow will effectively regulate land tenure to protect land rights in a fair and just manner.
We hope that when this policy is finalized, the Government will demonstrate total leadership and responsibility by ensuring its full implementation. In this process, we hope the Government will uphold the tenets of transparency and accountability in its decisions and actions.