21 Feb 2016

The Minister of Lands and Housing, Mr Prince Maele says he is not aware of the transfer of concession leases from land boards to Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO).

Mr Maele said in line with the government’s policy and practice of reserving land for investment in various sectors, tourism land in the form of concession areas have been accordingly reserved for the Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism (MEWT).

He noted that consequently, the management of leases for such concessions had been transferred from land boards to the Department of Lands and not BTO.

Mr Maele highlighted that the allocation procedure for reserved land was such that the ministry, through BTO, identified and recommended investors to the land authority.

He also explained that the Ministry of Lands and Housing performed the approval and formal allocation as well as the drafting and management of the memorandum of lease agreements.

The minister said the decision to adopt the approach was premised on concerns raised by stakeholders within the tourism industry to the effect that there were delays in processing allocations and resolution of issues arising from lease management.

He said the ministry had consulted all affected land boards to bring them on board with the new management, adding that other stakeholders such as investors and CBNRM organisations were also consulted on the new mode of operation.

The Member of Parliament for Okavango, Mr Bagalatia Arone had asked the minister about the transfer of concession leases from land boards to BTO.

Mr Arone also wanted the minister to share reasons that had led to such a decision and how consultations were carried out. ENDS