By: Alieu Amara Suwu
Dr Turad Senessie Minister of Land, Housing and Country Planning, has said the Customary Land Right Act 2022 if enacted will give the rights to Sierra Leoneans generally to own land in whatever part of Sierra Leone, notwithstanding their hereditariness, linage, ethnicities and affiliations.
Going further, he revealed that when the Bill is enacted, the Creoles, who were not allowed to own land in the country other than Freetown will own land in the protectorate; promote gender equality; amend the discrimination against women owning land; and disputes over land will be curtailed.
He said they will ensure that the rights of every family is respected and guaranteed and also ensure that investments on land are sheltered so communities and country will benefit.
He shed light on several investment opportunities underway after the passing into law of the Bill. In conclusion, the Minister said the Bill will minimise cases over land in courts and structures will be created to reduce conflict.
Minister Senesie said this when he was presenting the Customary Land Right Act 2022 during the second reading in the Well of Parliament on Wednesday, 27 July 2022. The Bill seeks to provide for the protection of customary land rights, the elimination of discrimination under customary law, and the management and administration of land subject to customary law, and other related matters.
Hon. Quinton Salia-Konneh, Chairman Lands Committee in Parliament, Hon Quintin Sallia Konneh Chairman of the Land Committee, assured MPs that the Bill is not contentious as it is the one everyone has been waiting for including the MPs since a majority of them are coming from the protectorate and are aware about the suffering of women as the greatest users of land. He said women have been discriminated against and have no role to play in land inherited from their parents or late husbands. He disclosed that the Bill makes deliberate effort to minimise women suffering and provide solutions towards those issues, and noting that laws of customary land are very much discriminatory against women. He cited Part two of the Bill that spoke customary rights and nondiscrimination, which was not possible before the emergence of this Bill. He pointed out that the Bill criminalises discrimination against others, especially women. According to the MP, the bill stops marginalization and injustice and trends on inclusivity among others. He spoke about series of positive developments in the document. He therefore commended the Minister for engaging all sectors before putting together the Bill
Hon. Saa Emerson Lamina, Leader of C4C in Parliament, said the Bill will fulfilled the wish of Queen Masarico who led the Mane Invasion from Mali to Sierra Leone in search of land. He said the Bill is guaranteeing the right of all especially women and described the bill as a tolerant bill. Notwithstanding that, he revealed some concerns, in light of amendments on mining related matters and issues related to the settlement of the perennial cry of cattle herdsmen and crop farmers. He also expressed percentage-wise and cited Sahn Malen situation and other issues and concluded by commending Minister for bringing reforms in land matters.
Hon. Aaron Aruna Koroma said the bill has to do with the empowerment of women, especially those in the rural communities and went on to commend the Minister for his dynamic step as well as his relationship with civil societies. However, he raised concerns on issues including investing agricultural companies to give some percentage of their share to the locals and as well as profit. He asked the House to draw a line between mining and agriculture, in term of land acquisition.
Hon Chernor R. M. Bah talked on the rights and entitlement of women and also on gender equality. He said regardless of one’s tribe as long as he or she is a Sierra Leonean he or she must have the right to own a land everywhere in the country. He pledged that they will continue to support gender equality in shared light on some of the issues in the Bill.
Hon Mathew Sahr Nyuma said it necessary that the Bill seeks to dealing with gender disparity and taking affirmative steps. He voiced out that, as a law maker, he is proud that women are now giving the space empowering them. He went to insist on the practicality and implementation of those laws and applauded the Paramount Chiefs for their position on the Bill and urged the Minister to maintain and respect their dignity.
