The Ministry of Lands, Housing and Country Planning has in a public notice issued on Tuesday, August 11, 2020, informed the public that, it will repossess all state lands from defaulting leaseholders who have failed to develop government owned lands based on criteria, with immediate effect.
The basic criteria set for leaseholders of government lands states that all government owned lands must be developed within the period of three years, otherwise will be repossessed.
According to Tamba Douda, the Acting Director of Surveys and Lands in the Ministry of lands, the coming operation will affect those whose tenancies had been effective from 2018.
He said that their leasehold interests are knotted up with certain terms and conditions which should be strictly adhered to.
Douda said, “These terms and conditions have been designed to ensure development control, eliminate or reduce land conflicts and enhance the effective and efficient use of land across the country.”
He added: “In ensuring that government generates the desired revenues from this vital resource through rents and other charges and the ensuing housing provision and job creation, the Ministry will commence the repossession of all state lands under leases that have been breached with immediate effect.”
“All persons holding leases on state lands prior to 2018 which initial period of lease has expired with no renewal and have not developed such lands will also be repossessed and allocated to deserving Sierra Leoneans that are ready to develop same,” he emphasized.
By Hasbin Shaw
12/08/2020. ISSUE NO.: 7885