The newly appointed Lands Ombudsman Menzies Samuel is settle in well in the office.
The Judiciary Service Commission appointed Mr Samuel in April and he signed the contract with the former Minister of Justice and Community Services, John Still Tariqetu on the 29th of June 2023.
Since his occupation in the office, there are more clients seeking professional assistance from him as to how to sort their land disputes.
The position of the Lands Ombudsman was vacant for a period of over a year as the former and first Lands Ombudsman, Emil Mael passed on early last year.
The function of the Land Ombudsman is to investigate any complaint made to him or her provided that it complies with the ground listed in Section 6N of the Land Reform Act.
It reads, “A custom owner, or any other indigenous citizen who is not satisfied that the proper process had been followed in obtaining the consent of the custom owners for the registration of a new lease, or a subdivision or change of lease type for an existing lease, has the right within one month from notification of intent to register or seek Ministerial consent under Section 6K to lodge a complaint either orally or in writing with the Lands Ombudsman”.
The first grounds for the complaint are
(a) That the meeting of the custom land owners was not properly constituted, or
(b) That the custom land owners do not consent to the lease being registered or to the subdivision or
(c) That some other community or group of indigenous citizens that may be affected by the agreement has not had an adequate opportunity to express its views to the custom land owners.
Upon receipt of a complaint, the Lands Ombudsman just within 21 days, or as soon as practicable
(a) Review all reports, lease documents, all other valuable materials, and
(b) Discuss all reports, as necessary with the National Coordinator or the relevant customary lands officer and
(c) Investigate, as is necessary, the substance of the complaint.
Upon receipt of a complaint, the Lands Ombudsman must submit a report to the Chairperson of the committee.
The National Coordinator, and the Director of Lands into the complaint, and must make a recommendation as to whether the lease should be registered.
The position of the Lands Ombudsman is independent of the Ministry of Lands and the Ministry of Justice and Community Services.