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Ministry of Local Government and Lands

Land Application process and requirements

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Overview of Land Access

In The Gambia, women and men have equal access to land ownership. However there are two types of land management; 1.State owned land and 2. Customary settlement land

Ownership for Government state owned land is allocated based on an open application procedure. A state land is evidenced by a lease document.18 of the State Lands Act, which states the conditions on which a lease may be granted, and they are:

A. For an initial term of 99 years.

B. A provision for renewal of the lease as set out in the Schedule.

C. The payment of land rent or premium.

D. The purpose for which the land is to be used.

E. the existence of appropriate Covenants set out in the Regulations to the State Lands Act.

Section 20 of the State Lands Act, empowers the Minister of Local Government Lands, to re-enter and take possession of any "State Land", in the event of a lessee, violating any of the Covenants, stated in the lease document.

Section 19 of the State Lands Act, clearly states that, no "State Land" or leasehold land, should be sold or mortgaged to a third party by the "lessee", except he or she has obtained a clearance in writing to do so from the Honorable Secretary Of State For Local Government and Lands.

 

Land Conflict Resolution

In the case of the state land areas which cover the capital Banjul, Kanifing Municipality and all Kombos except East, the Ministry of Lands settles conflicts. However, for land matters pertaining to the customary areas, the right of ownership is based on culture/tribal settlers hence conflicts are managed by Village Alkalos, Seyfos, District Chiefs and ultimately the Tribunal/courts for verification of ownership. The Alternative Dispute Resolution system is also used in cases of customary areas and appeals to settle land conflicts out of the courts.

 

Land Use Opportunities

Government state land has been demarcated and designated for different activities including residential, agriculture, industrial and commercial. There is no discrimination in terms of access to land ownership and rental in terms of Government allocated land.

 

Other Services Provided by the Lands Department

  1. Land administration and dispute resolution
  2. Access to mortgages
  3. Advice on using land as collateral to access business loans
  4. Awareness campaign on mainstream media for women to apply for land ownership when Government allocates an area for state use.

Contact Information;

Ministry of Lands and local government

MOLGL Banjul capital office

Quadrangle

New Administrative Building

The Gambia, West Africa

Tel no: 4226292

4227315 (Permanent Secretary)

4201427 / 4201416

Fax: 4225261

Email: info@molgl.gov.gm