Parliamentary Select Committee on Lands and Forestry visit Lands Commission

Parliamentary Select Committee on Lands and Forestry, has visited the Lands Commission to ascertain the extent of damage caused by the recent fire outbreak.

The visit served as a platform for the committee to observe the progress made on the automation of document processing at the Lands Commission.

Members of the committee also familiarised themselves with the operational environment of the commission, since it was merged with some major land sector agencies under the Lands Commission Act (Act 767, 2008).

On March 1, some departments of the commission including accounts section of the Public and Vested Lands Management Division and one of the registries, the Survey and Mapping conference room and the director's office as well as the Library of Survey and Mapping Division were destroyed by fire.

The fire which started around 0500 hours engulfed the area in plumes of thick smoke that billowed from the building, while the fire ravaged furniture, computers and other electronic gadgets.

Mr Albert Abongo, Chairman of the Committee lamented the tragedy most especially when it involved one the country’s most valuable institutions.**

He pledged the committee’s support to the commission to ensure effective work under conducive environment.

Dr Odame Larbi, Executive Director of the Commission said work is going on steadily at the commission notwithstanding the extensive damage caused by the fire.

He said most of the land records including documents on State lands, plans records, and completed and filed documents were all intact, adding that anyone who had a completed document with the commission is safe.

He mentioned some of the problems facing the commission as inadequate staff, lack of modern computers, vehicles and space in the various departments.

Dr Larbi added that the commission is facing unbalanced electricity supply, which makes work difficult.

He appealed to government to give a percentage of the revenue the commission generate to support its operation.