By Fostina Mkandawire

Salima, October 23, Mana: Minister of Lands Deus Gumba on Wednesday expressed optimism that more Malawians will venture into the real estate sector after Parliament passed three new Land Governance Bills.

Gumba made the remarks in Salima during an orientation on new Land Governance Bills and progress of Land sector devolution in Salima District.

According to Gumba, the Land Bills are critical in offering opportunities to more Malawians for them to participate in the real estate market and addressing emerging challenges, particularly in the real estate sector.

"For example, the Sectional Titles Bill aims to provide ownership of real rights
in, or over parts of buildings, thereby allowing Malawians who could not afford to own multi-story buildings to be part owners," he said.

He added that the Property Valuation Bill will regulate the practice of property valuation and shall hear complaints regarding valuation and lastly, the Real Estate Management Bill aims to provide regulation of the practice of real estate managers.

"Implementation of these Bills, once they are laws, are expected to bring sanity in the real estate sector and curb transactions that disadvantage “uniformed” Malawians who are ripped off their land,” he said.

Regarding the implementation of land sector devolution, the Minister said the Ministry of Local Government, Unity and Culture have been working on Fiscal Devolution to ensure that councils have the financial resources to undertake land-related functions.

He revealed that the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs already approved devolving part of the Ministry of Land in the 2024/25 budget, therefore councils will start receiving budgetary funds soon.

On his part, Principal Secretary for Local Government, Unity and Culture, Richard Hara said following the deployment of land officers to local councils, citizens will be receiving services from the Ministry of Land faster and more efficiently.

He therefore called for continuous support from the Ministry of Lands to District Councils for the smooth transition of power while urging councils to also sensitize communities about the devolution of land roles, so that they can start accessing services.

"The sensitization and implementation of land laws, along with the devolution of land-related services, requires a holistic approach to reach out to all Malawians," he said.