01 May 2014

Land board members have been encouraged to utilise the limited resource available to maximum use when allocating land to clients.

Addressing land board members in Gaborone on Monday, April 28, the Minister of Lands and Housing, Mr Lebonaamang Mokalake said there was shortage of resources and the current economic recession worsened the situation.

Mr Mokalake said land boards are therefore expected to use their resources prudently and do the best with the little available to allocate land to reduce back log at all costs.

He stated that land boards were tasked with the mammoth task of managing a limited resource, whereas there was constant pressure from fast growing human and animal populations competing for land.

Land boards were also called to desist from making internal policies by ceasing to allocate land without the minister’s approval.

The minister said delays in giving clients feedback and resolving queries disadvantaged customers, adding that giving feedback on time even if negative, was better than delaying someone for years. 

“You should at all times maintain good relations with your customers,” he said.

Furthermore, Mr Mokalake advised the land board members and secretaries to be vigilant to avoid the pitfalls of corruption and also report any signs of corruption.

“Corruption is a disease that needs to be nipped in the bud.

We have in the recent past experienced illicit land transactions involving both members and staff forming networks with land grabbers.

This has resulted in some of the perpetrators losing their membership or employment.”

He said many times corruption was crafted from the outside and reached them at a final stage for approval of the land processes, which has resulted in the  land boards taking the blame for corrupt acts.

The minister however urged the board members to be strict and take action against corrupt officers, adding that officers should declare interests in order to be fair.

Mr Mokalake underscored the need for land boards to adhere to government’s ten points agenda, which is a guiding principle to improve service delivery.

The two days’ workshop was meant to welcome and familiarise new land board members with land allocation issues. ENDS