Govt cancels SABLs, amends law
He said the government move is not to block genuine investments in the country but forge right partnerships between the investors, government and landowners.
“We are taking these steps to reclaim our customary land illegally lost to foreigners with the help of corrupt public servants and leaders,”
The canceling of SABLs and repealing of the Land Act are part of a number of decisive steps which Cabinet approved this week to be taken to implement the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry into the SABLs.
The Prime Minister said Cabinet decided to; cancel all SABLs obtained illegally which the COI recommended to be revoked; repeal provisions of the Land Act which allows for SABLs to be issued; direct the Department of Lands and Physical Planning not to process any more SABL; ensure all SABLs which were not assessed by the COI to be reviewed by the Ministerial Committee; and set up a team to fully implement the COI recommendations and the NEC decision.
“As a responsible government we want to ensure that all citizens have access to the lands of their ancestors. We will not allow our land to be lost to unscrupulous people out to con our people,” the Prime Minister said.
The COI into SABLs was established by the then Acting Prime Minister Sam Abal MP in July 2011.
