Protecting National Land: These Surmountable Obstacles!

The problem of the illegal occupation and sale of national land has become acute to the extent that government is out to stamp out the ill. This was one of the issues discussed during the cabinet meeting of April 28, 2022 during which the Minister of State Property, Surveys and Land Tenure, Henri Eyebe Ayissi presented a statement on the “strategy to fight against the illegal sales of national lands as well as the de facto and uncontrolled occupation of land under private property of the State.”
Government according to the State Property Minister, in order to curb the illegal sale of national land has taken measures that include the suspension of direct registration and concessions in 21 Divisions, institution of certificates of conformity applicable to direct registration applications, in order to reinforce the control of regularity and the prohibition of the certificates of abandonment of customary rights.  The Divisions, Minister Eyebe Ayissi cited include, Lékie, Mefou-and-Afamba, Mefou-and-Akono, Mbam-and-Inoubou, Mbam-and-Kim, Lom-and Djerem,  Dja-and-Lobo, Ntem Valley, Ocean, Mvila, Sanaga Maritime, Moungo, Nkam, Upper Sanaga, Noun, Bénoué, Fako, Mezam, Mayo-Banyo, Vina and Wouri. Concerning the measures to curb the intrusion into private land of the State, government has prohibited the transactions on these lands, proceeded to cancellation of irregular or fraudulent land titles and destruction when necessary. Prime Minister, Head of Government, Joseph Dion Ngute has instructed the Minister of State Property, Surveys and Land Tenure to use mechanisms to ensure the follow up at the operational level of measures taken to curb illegal sales of national land as well as de facto and anarchical occupation of the State’s private land.
According Article 14 of Ordinance No.74-1of 6 July 1974 to establish rules governin...