Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – A recently unearthed audit on how the Gambia’s Ministry of Lands and Regional Government (MoLRG) handles the administration of land issues has highlighted significant challenges in the country’s land administration system, calling for urgent reforms to address inefficiencies, capacity gaps, and bureaucratic delays.

The MoLRG oversees local government authorities and harmonizes central government policies related to land and community development. However, growing concerns over land disputes and the efficiency of the land registration process prompted an in-depth audit covering January 2018 to December 2021. This audit report finalized in January 2023, and conducted by the National Audit Office, involved interviews, document reviews, and site visits to assess the effectiveness of the MoLRG’s land registration and documentation processes.

Discrepancies, bureaucracy and corruption among key findings

The audit revealed numerous discrepancies in land ownership records, leading to an increase in land disputes and litigation. The land registration process is plagued by delays and corruption, hindering efficient land resource allocation and use.

A significant issue is the outdated legal framework. The absence of a national land policy and the reliance on outdated legal documents from the 1980s and 1990s make effective land administration difficult. Important policies like the State Lands Act and the Lands Acquisition and Compensation Act are no longer relevant.

Capacity issues also hinder the Ministry’s effectiveness. The strategic plan for 2016–2020 fell short due to insufficient expertise and workforce. Many technical staff lack necessary qualifications, and there are no regional offices for the Department of Lands and Survey in three of the five regional districts.

Bureaucratic delays further exacerbate the challenges. The long decision-making processes and lack of streamlined procedures cause delays in processing land ownership transfers and resolving disputes. Provincial leases take an average of 2.5 years to complete, while state land leases average over five years.

The land registration system’s lack of digitalization also contributes to inefficiencies. The system remains predominantly manual, causing delays and hindering the efficient management and tracking of land transactions. Efforts to implement automated systems have been unsuccessful, and the country lacks a national geographical information system (GIS) and comprehensive cadastral mapping. This lack of modern technology results in transparency and accountability issues, allowing potential corruption and fraud.

Operational resource shortages further complicate the situation. Insufficient funding has led to staff shortages, outdated equipment, and inadequate training opportunities. Land administrators face severe logistical challenges, including inadequate mobility, fuel, stationery, and office space, which hampers their efficiency and effectiveness.

The lack of uniformity in land transfer procedures across different regions adds to the problems. Alkalos (village leaders) often charge unauthorized fees for land transfer services, and there is a lack of standardization in local land transfer documents. This inconsistency causes confusion and delays in processing land transactions, creating additional obstacles for both land administrators and the public.

Essential recommendations captured from the audit

The audit report recommends several measures to improve land administration in The Gambia. Developing a national land policy, providing local and international training for technical officers, and creating a manpower structure to address workforce capacity issues are crucial steps. Streamlining processes by establishing a one-stop shop for land registration and documentation and fully implementing digital systems can reduce bureaucratic delays.

Introducing a digitalized land registration system and developing GIS and cadastral mapping are also essential for more efficient land administration. Improving operational logistics by ensuring land administrators have necessary resources like mobility and office supplies will enhance their effectiveness.

The audit also suggests regulating Alkalos’ charges by enforcing regulations against unauthorized fees for land transfers and standardizing local land transfer documents.

In conclusion, the audit highlights the need for substantial legal, structural, and technological reforms to address the inefficiencies in The Gambia’s land administration system. Implementing these recommended changes is crucial to ensure that land registration and documentation processes are streamlined, transparent, and capable of supporting the country’s development goals.

It is expected that the Ministry of Lands and Regional Government acts swiftly on these recommendations to prevent further disputes and enhance the overall land governance system in The Gambia.