May 11, 2021
By: Audrey John
Dr. Tuma Adama Gento Kamara, a legal member of the Complaint Committee on land dispute has said the issue of land in the Western Area is endemic.
She made the above disclosure when addressing journalists from the electronic and print media about the strategies they have put in place to resolve land issues over the weekend, at Bank of Sierra Leone Complex, Kingdom.
Making a brief statement, Dr. Tuma Adama Gento Kamara said as a legal person, what they consider when adjudicating on land issue is that, for a person to have right over certain property, he or she should produce authentic proof whether in written, conveyance, or deed of gift among others.
She said for lease lands there are conditions put by government amongst which the said land should be developed within three years.
She further explained that if those offered land on lease failed to comply with the terms and conditions fixed by the government, the lease will be terminated and offer to another person.
Speaking further, the legal luminary said after checking on the authenticity of all land documents within the Western Area as mandated, they will present their findings and recommendations to the government.
Dilating on the area of security when executing their duties, Dr. Tuma Adama Gento Kamara said during investigations their first contact is the Inspector General of police who gave them police officers to do their investigation peacefully after which they handed over lands with tussles to their rightful owners.
“Since April 2018 to January 2021 the issue of land in the Western Area is endemic,” she stated boldly.
She disclosed that since the time they start doing their assignment, they have recovered more than two hundred cases, a report which according to her will be submitted to the ministry.
“Most of our land laws are very old and archaic; we need to review them because these laws are causing serious problems,” She concluded.
The chairman of the Complaint Committee on Land Dispute in the Western Area, Alhaji Murtada M. Sesay said their mandate is to resolve issues in the Western Area especially those involved state lands.
He said the committee is robust and since the time they too up office, they have developed case files , visiting sites to know the issue on the ground and look at the environmental processes that involved.
He also stated that they have met people who have bearings on land including the Chief Justice Desmond Babatunde Edwards.
Chairman Murtada M. Sesay said it has come to the notice of the complaint Committee on state land related disputes in the Western Area that some members in conflict over disputed property are deliberately continuing to develop the said contested lands despite the fact that the matter is before the committee, thinking that will affect any decision the committee might come up with.
He said the committee is warning all concern to desist from such action as no matter the size and value of such controversial investment, justice will be dispensed without fear or favor.
He admonished all concern to patient with the committee which is working diligently to resolve pending matters.
The chairman also assured the public of their continued commitment to bring out the truth in all Complaint before the committee.