Accra, Oct. 29, GNA - Parliament on Wednesday passed the Lands Commission and National Pension Reform Bills into law. The Lands Commission Bill seeks to create a one-stop-shop for land administration and the provision of services by bringing together all the seven institutions responsible for land management in the country. A parliamentary report said the fragmentation of the services of agencies such as the Land Title Registry, Land Valuation Board and Lands Commission over the years, had made the provision of land services very difficult.

These difficulties include scattered records, conflicting and unclear mandates and the duplication of efforts by these institutions resulting in waste in the system.

The bill, therefore, seeks to revise and consolidate into a single piece of legislation, the existing laws on the major public institutions that manage land to ensure a sound and sustainable land planning and use, which are consistent with national development. The second bill, the National Pension Reform Bill seeks to create among others, a National Pension Scheme Regulatory Authority to oversee the regulation of the scheme.

It would also create a three tier pension scheme and also bring on board the private or informal sector. Various papers were also laid before the House including a sale and purchase agreement between government and the International Aluminium partners for the sale and purchase of 70 per cent issued and fully paid shares of the Volta Aluminium Company Limited held by government. 29 Oct. 08