Montague: 'If you capture Crown land, you will face consequences'

 

Minister with responsibility for Land Titling and Settlements, Robert Montague, on Tuesday declared that the government will be taking a zero-tolerance approach to people capturing and occupying Crown lands. 

 

Making his contribution to the Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives, Minister Montague said the government is concerned about the growing number of fraud cases involving Crown lands, and will be taking a tough approach to squatting.

 

"As to our squatting challenges, we know that there is a need for land for the landless and also for orderly development. There is also the need for respect for property rights. Some of the issues under discussion are, should we reduce the time for adverse possession of Crown lands? Should we increase the time for private lands for adverse possession? How do we balance the various needs? But we have settled on some points, Madam Speaker. No Member of Parliament, nor councillor, nor JP, nor big man, nor area leader, can sell government land. So to those persons scamming people and say is the MP send them, stop it! Because the MP never send you go do nothing like that," the minister declared.

 

Mr. Montague warned that people found capturing Crown lands will be removed. 

 

"People are squatting on lands reserved for schools, clinics, roadways, and even one historic site. This is a massive cost to rehabilitate and resettle areas after it has been informally settled. We have met with all the MPs with a squatting challenge. So, as of today, June 9, people who go unto Crown lands will no longer be considered for a settlement programme. If you are there already, you are there already. But we are not dealing with the new people," he outlined.

 

He said those who sell Crown lands will be prosecuted, and cautioned that those who buy these lands will lose their money.

 

"So check with the National Land Agency before you buy any cheap land. Buying land is not like buying rice and flour. There is a legal process. But always remember, if it sounds too good to be true, then it is not true. Save of your money," the minister advised. "We have done drone and spacial surveys and we know what is already on Crown lands. So if you go on the land after today, you must face the consequences."