Land police and administration Reform in Mozambique
An economic reflection
From the poverty to development
Tax and sustainable for land administration institution
The Land tax is itself instrument to support land administration process in Mozambique. During
99-2000, the land taxes potencial in Mozambique was estimated in about 9 billions meticals,
which can be resource to improve the revenue of local land administration in the districts (12%
according the Land law) and the provincial level. In fact only 22% was collected.
The tax collection process has to be improved, creating the simple model for announce and to
obligate the stakeholders to follow their obligations. Too many model s can be improved: (i)
Now-a-day to pay bill is complication. What can be done is to record all the big stakeholders to
pay directly in the bank account (direct debit); (ii) other way, the local service can take
responsibility to communicate and to follow the process (inspection).
.The means policy aspects
• The sensitivity and complexity of tenure issues and concentration on land redistribution
have caused some governments in the region to neglect tenure reform.
• Land tenure reform must be built on a thorough understanding of the livelihood strategies
of those intended to benefit. It should not be assumed that the inadequacies of tenure laws
and/or administrative support constrain livelihoods in practice.
• Tenure reform measures for communal land should underpin the adaptability and
responsiveness of existing customary systems and not constrain local coping strategies.
• Land tenure reform policy should be flexible and gradualist with regard to the role of
traditional authorities.
• As far as possible, responsibility for land rights management should be devolved to the
rights holders.
• Land tenure reform must pay special attention to the legal status and economic activities
of women and the poor, who are often disproportionately dependent on the commons.
Despite the complexities, tenure reform to sustain their access to the commons is
essential.
• Land tenure reform is a time-consuming process requiring thorough public consultation
and careful preparation. The necessary institutional development is likely to take decades.
Long-term budgetary commitment is needed from governments and (political sensitivities
permitting) from donors. External support is likely to be conditional upon appropriate
constitutional and legal frameworks.
• To keep it in context, policy to reform land tenure must be developed alongside policies,
resources and financial incentives to help the building of more sustainable livelihoods,
including non-land based activities.
Interventions may have to focus on the more densely settled areas and be phased to give priority
to situations that are a direct threat to livelihoods or political stability.