By Gift Chiponde

Lilongwe, January 30, Mana: Minister of Lands, Deus Gumba, has urged the newly recruited District Land Registrars and Land Clerks to execute their jobs professionally.

Gumba made the remarks in Blantyre on Tuesday during the official opening of the orientation for land clerks and land registrars.

The training is being offered by the Malawi School of Government.

Government, through Ministry of Lands, facilitated recruitment of 34 District Land Registrars and 319 Land Clerks to help in dealing with lands issues in district councils across the country.

Gumba said the recruitment of new staff in the ministry will help government improve service delivery at local level and embrace decentralization.

He urged the newly recruited officers to take the training seriously and execute their duties with competence.

"I want to have well trained officers who are conversant with Malawi land laws and regulations. It is my expectation that once these officers are inducted, I will have well trained officers who will assist to champion the country’s development," said Gumba.

Secretary for Lands, Devie Chilonga, said land in Malawi is a very big issue in all the 35 councils hence recruiting the officers is a big achievement which will make a difference in all the councils on how to settle land matters.

Chilonga has advised the trainees to embrace discipline during their training and has instructed officials from Malawi School of Government to report any case of indiscipline.

"For all those who will not be serious with their training please inform management of Ministry of Lands so that we can discipline such officers accordingly," said Chilonga.