Africa-Press – Botswana. There are no compelling reasons for government to return the acquired piece of land to Tawana Land Board after thorough considerations of the potential economic contributions of the envisaged resort in the Okavango Delta and the community having no direct land rights.
The Minister for State President, Mr Moeti Mohwasa told Parliament that the acquired land conformed to all the authenticities of Tribal Land Act, the North West District Council and the Tawana Land Board who were duly served with a notice of acquisition on April 2, 2021.
Thereafter, he said the council was given an opportunity to raise any descending opinions for consideration by the land board.He said in the same manner, Batawana Regent was also consulted on May 25, 2021 in the presence of tribal leader and then upon extensive consultations, the land board considered the application on June 22, 2021 and resolved to grant the required land to the State as per the provision of the Tribal Land Act,
“The Act empowers the land board to independently make its decisions” he said.
He, however, condemned the deliberations that the land was taken from Tawana Land Board but emphasised that, the land board did not decline to grant the land to the State having acquainted itself of the reasons for acquisition against the issues raised by the aforementioned critical stakeholders.
Mr Mohwasa further highlighted that government was at an advanced stage in finding a partner to establish a Presidential resort in the mentioned area. He said the envisaged facility would enable high profile personalities and dignitaries to visit the areas and contribute significantly to the tourism offerings provided by its prime flora and fauna as well as its scenic view.
Mr Mohwasa said since government was already at an advanced stage to set up a facility on the site, it would be a regressive move to return the land. He emphasised that the intended purpose of the land was for both partnerships between government and the private sector.
Mr Mohwasa said that the facility would play a pivotal role, as it would relieve government of the financial burden of hosting State dignitaries in private facilities. Moreover, he said the move would also affect the confidence of investors with whom the government would like to partner.
Meanwhile, Mr Mohwasa pointed out that there was once a matter before the Maun Land Tribunal, which was intended to oppose the grant of the land to the State, lodged by Mr Lekopanye Mokobela and others. He said the judgement was delivered on March 22, 2022, which pronounced that they had no sufficient connection with the land to establish real and substantive interests in the matter.
The minister added that where government considered it expedient and in the public interest to reverse a decision of the acquisition of the tribal land, it would duly be undertaken based on the advanced reasons. He said government demonstrated that in January, when it was resolved that they abandon an ongoing acquisition process of about 10 000 hectares land in Kgagodi, Moremi/Lesenepole and Tamasane. Mr Mohwasa said the communities had voiced their concerns and further demonstrated how the acquisition would impact on their livelihoods, as they used the land for arable and pastoral farming.
He was responding to a question by Maun North MP and also the Leader of Opposition, Mr Dumelang Saleshando who had asked if government would return a piece of land that was taken from the Tawana Land Board within the Okavango Delta by the previous administration. Mr Saleshando also requested the minister to state the full reasons for the position, in the event government does not plan to return the land.
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