By Kei Emmanuel Duku
Kajo-Keji County Commissioner Wani Jackson Mule, who also chairs the County Land Authority, has issued a stern warning against the encroachment on public land. The warning follows a complaint from the Kajo-Keji Civil Hospital Management, which reported threats from landlords aiming to reduce the hospital’s land by thirty meters.
This land disputes created tension between the hospital management and a landlord from Kinyiba who sold a portion of the hospital’s land to individuals. This conflict over the disputed land has caused a delay in the permanent fencing of the hospital, a project being undertaken by MSF – Belgium.
During a meeting, Commissioner Mule praised the hospital’s management for raising the issue, stating that the land was allotted to the hospital years ago and is protected by the Land Act. He emphasized that anyone who tampers with public land will be held accountable in a competent court of law.
Mule urged the landlords of Kinyiba and Lubule to stop selling public land designated for public use. He directed the County Executive Director and the department of survey to swiftly demarcate the hospital’s land and issue a legitimate land title.
The meeting concluded that the land in question belongs to the hospital and should not be reduced instead more land is needed for the hospital’s future development.
The Commissioner also ordered the Executive Director to summon the individuals who have illegally erected buildings on the hospital’s land for questioning. According to Commissioner Mule, if no proper agreement is reached, the houses will be demolished in accordance with the Land Act 2009.
In a separate development, MSF has briefed the Commissioner on a plan to establish a new health facility in Sunyu village. The facility aims to serve internally displaced persons (IDPs) and host communities.
This decision was a direct result of the recent incursion in Nyainga-Muda village and Liwolo Payam, which displaced over 2,900 households, or more than 16,036 people. These individuals, primarily women, children, and the elderly, are currently settled in six different locations: Logo, Sokare, Bori, Mereguga, Wotakujong, and Sunyu.
MSF has already increased its medical supplies at the Bori and Sokare Primary Health Care centers. Commissioner Wani appreciated MSF’s support and urged the organization to conduct assessments in Logo village of Liwolo Payam to extend health services to the IDPs in that area as well.