23 Jul 2019

Efficient land utilisation remains one of the priorities in developing the country’s economy.

It is for this reason that government through the Ministry of Land Management, Water and Sanitation is revisiting the Botswana Land Policy of July 2015, the Town and Country Planning Act, Development Control Code to make changes.

The ministry will also set guidelines regarding the introduction of Integrated Farming in agricultural land.

These efforts are aimed at altering provisions in the country’s national land management strategic instruments with the intention to facilitate efficient, effective and responsible land utilisation.

Address a stakeholder meeting in Palapye recently, the Minister of Land Management, Water and Sanitation, Mr Kefentse Mzwinila said the changes were  overdue.

He said the issue of land use was among priority areas in President, Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi’s agenda. President Masisi, he said, had assigned the ministry to make changes to some parts of policies related to land management such as the Botswana Land Policy of July 2015.

Mr Mzwinila said it was important to convene and collectively have a new and fresh look at the instruments to pave way for their operationalisation noting that there must be an element of responsibility when amending and implementing the policies.

He urged attendants to also pay attention to issues such as pollution management and control when awarding land for projects. Such he said ought to be included in the amended policies.

Further, Mr Mzwinila indicated that when amending the policies, they should not contravene others such as health, environment and wild life policies among others.

He said other ministries required his facilitation so as to have a positive impact on national development.

The stakeholder consultative meeting was attended by land  boards and sub-land board chairpersons, land board secretaries, physical planners and senior assistant council secretaries. ENDS