The South Sudan Law Society (SSLS) over the weekend faulted the Government of Eastern Equatoria State for land corruption, saying officials allocated one plot of land in Torit Town to more than two or three people leading to conflicts.
This matter was raised during a one-day stakeholders’ meeting to rally support for transparent and accountable land demarcation and registration in the state.
The meeting was attended by over 60 participants drawn from government institutions, community leaders, civil society actors, youth, and women among others, and aimed to advocate for social justice by ensuring all communities obtain information on human rights.
The meeting also discussed multiple and irregular allotments of land, demarcation of already allotted land, and land corruption.
Jada Andrew Ottawa, a program officer with the South Sudan Law Society (SSLS) in Eastern Equatoria State, said multiple allotments of plots have complicated ownership of land and urged government to institute guidelines for land allotment.
“This is a call for the adaption of transparent and accountable land demarcation and registration in Eastern Equatoria State. Multiple allotment of the same plot has resulted in complex ownership structure where numerous heirs claim rights over a single portion,” he said. “Eradicate double or multiple allotments by establishing clear guidelines for land allotment that ensures each plot is allotted to a single individual or entity.”
For his part, Luka Charles Jankarlo, Eastern Equatoria State Minister of Housing, Land, and Public Utilities, confirmed the negative practice and attributed it to unclear land demarcation roles between the municipal council, county and state authorities.
“The issues that you have identified are in place. Double allotment is there in some areas here in town because some areas have been demarcated by the commissioners and others by the municipality. The lands ministry is also demarcating land and this is where the problem started,” he explained. “One demarcates from here and because I do not know where you end, then I have to take from there because I am also looking for money. We seem to have untrained surveyors and some do not have real qualifications.”
Meanwhile, Betty Awor, Deputy Speaker for Eastern Equatoria State Transitional Legislative Assembly, said centralizing the land registry is the only solution to curbing the malpractices.
“We have got very good laws and I strongly support the idea of centralizing a digital land registry because this will solve a lot of the issues raised,” he stated. “The government at all levels should communicate with citizens I do not think many know what is taking place.”
However, the Torit Municipal Council Town Clerk for Lands, Olibo George, denied multiple allotment of plots, saying the municipality has never demarcated any portion of land in the town.
“If there are people who can develop the town by constructing good buildings, we shall identify undeveloped places to be given to them and in case the other one comes he/she will still be compensated (with land) somewhere so that we can fill this town with good buildings,” he said. “There is no demarcation made within the municipality, we have come with the map plans, and that allegation is not in place. As municipal council dealing with land issues in the department of survey, we do not have secret demarcations.”