Peninsula road Western Rural, Saturday 5 February, 2022 In a bid to reclaim government lands and enforce the protection of reserved areas, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr Ambrose Michael Sovula, the Minister of Lands and Housing, Dr Turad Senesie and some senior members of the land ministry and police personnel have stormed various construction sites on government lands and prohibited areas along the peninsula road in the Western Rural District, effecting interrogations and arrest of suspects for investigations.
Speaking on the operation, the Land Minister, Dr Turad Senesie disclosed that his ministry is on a drive to recover over 6000 acres of government lands in the Western area.
He added that the country land tenure Policy is clear on the ownership of lands in the Western area.
“All lands in the Western area belongs to the Crown which is the government” he clarified.
He went on to say that encroachment into state lands for the benefit of few has become so alarming.
Encroachment into reserve areas including forest, water catchment and economic plantations he said is another menace that is leading to environmental degradation.
He therefore emphasis that the operation will continue and called on all those who bought lands from headmen to regularize their documents with the ministry now or risk facing the wrath of the law.
“The Safety of the low lands depends on the protection the forest” said the Director of Surveys and Lands Tamba Dauda.
In his contribution, the IGP Dr Ambrose Michael Sovula frowned at the wickedness of land grabbers and encroachers which he said has gone beyond imagination.
The police he assured would not relent in providing support to the ministry till they succeed in the reclamation of government lands and ensure that prohibited areas are protected.
During the operation, headmen along the peninsula road were named as vendors of government lands.
Visitation to the 500 acres service plot at Kent junction also form part of the operation