Msoro chiefdom sets up trust to manage traditional land and investment

Chieftainess Msoro VII of the Kunda-speaking people in Mambwe District, Eastern Province, says her chiefdom has established a trust to improve land administration and strengthen accountability as interest in energy investments grows.

Speaking at the Environmental Protection Dialogue at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka, she said the Msoro Chiefdom Trust, formed last year, had improved how the chiefdom manages land-related matters.

She said Zambia's energy deficit had prompted a surge in proposals for energy projects, with investors approaching the chiefdom to establish solar power plants.

However, she questioned the credibility of some proposals, saying some investors had requested 250 hectares of land on title.

The chiefdom subsequently established the trust, which she said had also enabled work on its own solar project to begin.

Chieftainess Msoro said progress that might otherwise have taken more than five years had been achieved within one year through the trust.

She said she had not granted land title to any investor, adding that those seeking to engage with the chiefdom dealt with the trust, which she heads.

She also cited the chiefdom's partnership with BioCarbon Partners in land conservation as an example of collaboration that does not involve transferring land title.

The traditional leader said land administration should be treated as a priority because effective management could help ensure that investment proposals were handled properly.

She also warned of the risk of misappropriation of funds and resources in the chiefdom, saying leaders needed to maintain close oversight.

Chieftainess Msoro said credible information and accountability were essential to securing community support for development initiatives.

She was speaking at the annual Environmental Protection Dialogue, which brings together stakeholders in environmental governance and sustainable development.

The event is organised by the Centre for Environment Justice in collaboration with government and cooperating partners.