LEI land sector activities in Lesotho

LEI are involved with land sector activities in Lesotho managing 2 large projects under the MCA-Lesotho Compact, Private Sector Development Land Component (Land Administration Reform Project, LARP).

The Systematic Land Regularisation and Improvement of Rural Land Allocation Processes Project (Design Phase, 2009-2011) is piloting regularization and urban planning of informal settlements in urban and peri-urban areas in Maseru. The project also assists Community Councils to improve their records and process of record collection for rural land allocations.

As part of urban regularization, local adjudication teams and surveyors have been working with occupants to define the boundaries of parcels and establish cadastral plans, adjust access roads and utility rights of way as needed, and assist legal leaseholders gain formal recognition of ownership. Li-pitso (public gatherings) are held in all project areas assisting local participation and awareness. Additional women’s meetings ensure women are fully informed and empowered. Progress is on time and budget to attain both the targets of 5,000 parcels regularised and 4 community councils (5,000 parcels) with improved land allocation records. The project will finish in June 2011.

The second major project Modernization of Land Services and Institutional Strengthening (2009-2013) is providing on-going support for the new Land Administration Authority, which was established upon the June 15th gazettal of the Land Administration Authority Act 2010. Technical assistance is providing land administration process re-engineering, business process re-engineering, capacity development, and information systems support. The Land Administration Authority will provide one-stop-shop services to clients with improved customer service care for all land related enquiries, transactions, valuations, survey and business needs.