By: Fatou Krubally
A performance audit reviewed by the National Assembly Select Committee on Regional Government and Lands has revealed widespread illegal fees charged by Alkalolu (Village heads) in local land transfer processes.
The Committee’s findings show that nearly all Alkalolu surveyed levy unauthorized payments ranging from D2,000 to D5,000 or demand up to 5 percent of land sale proceeds, in direct violation of Section 141 of the Local Government Act, which requires these services to be provided free of charge.
The audit further highlighted that two of the 25 villages sampled had no formal land registration or documentation systems, leaving residents exposed to disputes, fraud, and double allocations. In other areas, the forms used for land transfers varied widely and were often prepared informally by literate intermediaries on behalf of Alkalolu, increasing the risk of errors and exploitation.
The Committee has called for the immediate enforcement of directives prohibiting such illegal fees and for the standardization of all local land transfer forms. It also recommended nationwide sensitization of Alkalolu to ensure proper documentation and record-keeping, regardless of the frequency of land transactions in their communities.
The Ministry of Lands and Regional Government has been given 90 days to implement the Committee’s recommendations, to strengthen transparency, protect citizens’ land rights, and restore public confidence in local land administration.
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By: Fatou Krubally A performance audit reviewed by the National Assembly Select Committee on Regional Government and Lands has…
The post Audit Review Shows Alkalolu Pocket Thousands Of Dalasis in Illegal Land Fees appeared first on .
