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20th March, 2018
The government has refuted claims that it awarded over three (3) million hectares of land located at the south end border of the Kafue River in Chongwe District to Dingles Kafue River Lodge Limited.
The land in question, which is only 335.5 hectares, was leased out to Dingles Kafue River Lodge Limited on 1st May, 1994 for a term of ninety nine (99) years for Agricultural use.
However, twenty four (24) years down the line, Dingles Kafue River Lodge Limited applied to Lusaka Province Planning Authority for permission to change land use from agricultural to commercial.
In line with Section 53 of the Urban and Regional Planning Act No.3 of 2015, Lusaka Province Panning Authority placed an advertisement in the print media to inform members of the public of the intention by Dingles Kafue River Lodge Limited to change land use.
Nonetheless, when Lusaka Province Panning Authority placed a billboard in Chongwe District to notify members of the public in that area of Dingles Kafue River Lodge Limited’s intention to change land use, they inadvertently left out a point on the figure of hectares.
This has caused members of the public to conclude that Government had sold over 3 million hectares of Land to Dingles Kafue River Lodge Limited when the actual hectarage is just 333.5, which was leased out to Dingles Kafue River Lodge Limited in 1994 for a period of 99 years.
Government regrets the inconvenience this misinformation has caused to the people of Chongwe District and beyond.
I wish to advise members of the public to clarify or verify facts at the relevant offices to have a correct position on the issue.
Members of the public are, further, advised that Government has never and will not interfere with land administration in the country.
This is the more reason why members of the public should take interest in the on-going debate on land Reforms so that they can be part of their refinement.
Hon. Dora Siliya, MP
MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING SERVICES AND CHIEF GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON
