LAND: ABUNDANT YET SCARCE

Abstract

...These emergent land markets present many opportunities for able and willing investors, whether individuals, private companies, families or government. Land conflicts, protracted litigation and adjudication, family documentation bottlenecks and uncertainty are widespread problems with informal land markets. Land sales and other dealings in land increased in all areas. Settlements are being uprooted or livelihoods are being disrupted in the face of this onslaught. Yet there is no equity, transparency or accountability in the management of this process, neither as it concerns the “disposal” of land nor in the distribution of benefits. The displacement of helpless families and individuals from their legitimately owned land without due recompense raises legal and moral issues...