Ministry of Lands and Malaita Provincial Government Forge Strategic Alliance to Strengthen Land Recording and Customary Land Security for Malaita Province.

Premier, Malaita Provincial Government speaking to Areo Community Participants

Arao Community leaders, elders and chiefs

The Ministry of Lands, Housing and Survey through its Tribal Land Recording Unit has in partnership with the Malaita Provincial Government commenced an extensive Land Recording Awareness Program across Malaita Province with the aim of increasing public understanding of the customary land recording process and strengthening land tenure security for landowners and communities. This follows after the official opening of the Malaita Provincial Land Records office sometime last year in December 2025. The joint initiative reflects the shared commitment of both governments to improving land governance, reducing land disputes, and ensuring that customary land rights are properly recognized and documented for future generations.

The awareness campaign which ran from 16^th to 19 June 2026 included communities of Aligegeo, Kinsakwalo and Areo Communities in Central and West Kwara’ae region.  Speaking during the awareness campaign, officials from both the Ministry and the Malaita Provincial Government emphasized the importance of community participation throughout the land recording process. They noted that successful land recording requires the active involvement of tribal leaders, customary landowners, women, youth, and other stakeholders. The Malaita Provincial Government welcomed the collaboration, describing land recording as an important process for promoting peace, stability, and sustainable development within communities.

The awareness program provided information on the objectives and procedures of land recording, including community consultations, identification of customary land boundaries, verification of ownership claims, dispute resolution processes, and the preparation of official land records.

Officials clarified that land recording does not change ownership of customary land but rather creates an official record of customary ownership and land rights in accordance with local customs and traditions, providing greater certainty and protection for landowners.

The awareness program is expected to be conducted from Buma North to Buma South and in key communities across the Province in the coming months to ensure that communities understand the process, have the opportunity to raise questions and concerns, actively participate in awareness activities and work together to ensure the successful implementation of the land recording program for Malaita Province.

The collaboration reflects the statutory role of the Malaita Provincial Government in promoting local development, community participation, and effective land governance under the Provincial Government Act 1997, while supporting national efforts to strengthen customary land administration and land tenure security. It also demonstrates a strong commitment by both National and Provincial Government to a transparent, inclusive, and community-driven land recording process.

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