16 Dec 2014

Tribal leaders have been urged to support land boards in encouraging people to register for the Land Administration Process Capacity and Systems program (LAPCAS).

Officiating at the Tlokweng Land Board open and wellness day recently, the deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of Lands and Housing, Ms Tutu Tsiang said dikgosi had great influence on the community and could use that to support LAPCAS.

“Let us understand that land registration is not about repossession or transfer of plots, rather it is about protecting the rights we have,” she said.

The deputy permanent secretary further said the LAPCAS programme would enhance land titles through issuance of a new certificate that would have legal standing and recognition by financial institutions.

Ms Tsiang noted that LAPCAS was aimed at improving land administration in the country through improving land information for the benefit of all sectors of the economy.

“Through it, unique plot identification and addressing will be realised as well as computerisation of land information thus enabling easy access and sharing of information,” she added. She said the programme was reliant on reliable information from all land boards from around the country.

On other land issues, she said land was fast becoming limited in the country and peri urban villages were the most affected. Hence, she challenged stakeholders to come up with interventions, which will bring sustainable land usage.

Ms Tsiang said some of the current practices needed to be revisited to make them relevant to the emerging challenges posed by the prevailing socio-economic environment. Further she said the wellness component of the day event is memorable and worthwhile for the employees.

She said the various talks, physical activities and counselling sessions should stimulate employees to choose healthy lifestyle as a way of preventing diseases. “’ As ministry we cannot achieve our vision without the human capital, not just human capital but a healthy human capital," she said.  ENDS