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"id": 236995,
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"speaker_name": "Maj. Madoka",
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"legal_name": "Marsden Herman Madoka",
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"content": "Thank you Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir. First, I would like to congratulate the Mover for bringing this Motion before this House. I believe it is high time we discussed this issue. However, I would like to say that time has come when we should stop blaming the Government for the various injustices down at the coast. I think we need to completely overhaul the statutes governing land ownership and management. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, unless that is done, we will continue to complain and nothing will be done. For example, it is said that when a person lives on a piece of land for more than 12 years, he or she cannot be evicted from it. But, the law leaves it at that! It should go further and say that the owners of the piece of land should sub-divide it and make sure that the land is given to the individual who has lived on it for the requisite period of time. The law should also limit the number of acreage that he or she should be given. Recently, the Government gave a directive that absentee landlords should surrender their land or come and work on it. However, there is no law giving legality to this directive. Therefore, we need statutes which will help us ensure that we make the necessary changes. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, the people in my constituency who live in sisal estates hate the term \"squatters\". This is because these people have lived in these estates for years and years. All that happened is that during the early days of colonial government, most of the councillors and other leaders were illiterate and allowed landowners to sub-divide land. Our people's land was taken. The newcomers became the rightful owners and our people were displaced. We now need the Government to ensure that this land is given back to our people and they are allowed to settle on it. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, the problem at the coast goes far back into history. When the British Government gave funds for settlement, all the money was taken and used to buy land in the former White Highlands. Our leaders down at coast then did not come out to address the problems of their people. The money was used to buy land in the former White Highlands and 3310 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES November 1, 2006 then we were left on our own. So, the then leaders at the coast, are partly to blame for some of the problems that we have today. Having said that, I think the Government has a responsibility of ensuring that our people are settled. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Official Government Responder said that they have given a directive that the title deeds or land issues should be given out by December, 2006. I wish to tell the Assistant Minister that, that is not going to happen because the Ministry has not released funds for those jobs to be done. I have about three places in my constituency where people were told that by December, this year, adjudication work will be completed. However, up to today, the Ministry has not released funds for that work. So, do not keep on telling us that, this will be done by December, 2006. It is not possible for all these things the Assistant Minister has outlined to be done unless the actual land is given out. I agree with the views that have been expressed by most hon. Members that it is the responsibility of this Parliament as the legislative arm of the Government to ensure that we revolutionise the statutes that govern land ownership and management if we are to sort out land problems in Coast Province. With those few remarks, I beg to support."
}