By Fatou Dahaba
A National Assembly Select Committee has recommended an immediate prohibition on village Alkalos charging fees for land transfers unless explicitly authorized by the government, describing the practice as a potential source of exploitation and administrative abuse.
In its latest performance report on land registration and documentation, the Select Committee on Regional Government, Lands, Ombudsman, and the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) called on the Ministry of Lands and Regional Government and Local Government (MoLRG) to issue a clear directive banning such charges and to develop a standardized, published fee structure that would apply nationwide.
“Alkalos should be sensitised on proper document processing, filing, and record-keeping to strengthen administrative reliability and reduce risks of misplacement or fraud,” the committee stated, insisting that training must reach every Alkalo regardless of how frequently land transactions occur in their district.
The committee further recommended, among others, the Immediate standardization of all local land transfer forms and documents; Collaboration with the Boundary Commission to map internal and external boundaries and prevent future disputes; Development of a comprehensive National Land Policy on land governance that eliminates institutional overlaps and clarifies roles; Establishment, in the medium to long term, of a digital “one-stop shop” for land registration to reduce delays and improve transparency; Sustained investment in staffing, equipment, vehicles, and logistical support for the Ministry and its departments; Local and international capacity-building programmes for technical staff and improved recruitment of qualified personnel through the Personnel Management Office.
Noting the critical role of land administration in national development and revenue generation, the committee stressed that underfunding and outdated practices have left the sector vulnerable to inefficiency and abuse.
The recommendations stem from a performance audit covering January 2018 to December 2021 that examined the Ministry’s capacity, workforce expertise, structural systems, and the legal and administrative frameworks governing land registration and documentation.
The report has been laid before the National Assembly and is expected to spark debate when deputies consider its adoption in the coming session.
