Lands Director Declares War on Fraudsters
By Ahmed Papa Kanu
In a bold and uncompromising stance, the Directorate of the Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Country Planning has vowed to take decisive action against individuals—both within and outside the ministry—who are bent on damaging its public image through fraudulent land practices.
This renewed commitment was made clear by the Director of Lands, Mr. Timba Dauda, during a recent media engagement, where he condemned ongoing efforts by unscrupulous actors to undermine the integrity of the ministry.
According to Director Dauda, the Ministry remains unwavering in its mission to uphold professionalism, transparency, and public trust in all its dealings. He warned that any attempt to compromise the Ministry’s operations through forgery, extortion, or the circulation of fake land documents will be met with swift administrative and legal consequences.
“I don’t care how people choose to view my actions, but I will take firm actions against any staff member or outsider who tries to destroy the credibility of this Ministry,” Mr. Dauda fumed in an angry mood. “We have many professionals and dedicated employees who take their work seriously, and I will continue to support and protect them.”
The Director noted that the Ministry of Lands and Country Planning interacts with thousands of Sierra Leoneans daily, adding that maintaining public confidence is critical to their image, national development, and social equity.
“For over five years now under my leadership, no one has succeeded in submitting fake survey plans or forged documents for approval. I will not sit by and allow a few bad actors to destroy what we have built.”
He also disclosed that the Ministry is fully aware of fraudulent schemes in which certain individuals, often with no official affiliation to the Ministry, extort money from unsuspecting citizens by preparing and issuing fake survey plans and land ownership documents. These fake documents, he said, are often falsely stamped and signed in the names of senior officials in the Ministry of Lands and Country Planning.
“When victims of these scams come to the ministry for verification, they are devastated to find out the documents they hold are completely fraudulent,” he lamented.
In response to these challenges, the director has issued a stern warning: the ministry will not hesitate to pursue both legal and disciplinary action against perpetrators, regardless of their rank or connections. He called on the general public to exercise due diligence by verifying all land-related documents directly with the ministry and to immediately report any suspicious dealings.
“We will not allow a handful of corrupt individuals to discredit the ministry or exploit the public,” he emphasized. “Our goal is to ensure that the Ministry of Lands remains a transparent, accountable, and service-driven institution.”
This renewed push for integrity comes at a time when the government is under increasing pressure to reform public service institutions and restore public trust. With this firm message from Director Dauda, the Ministry of Lands has made it clear that it will not shy away from cleaning its house and defending its integrity. But patriotic citizens are asking, how long will the Ministry of Lands will clean up its house?
As the ministry intensifies efforts to rid its operations of fraud and deception, Sierra Leoneans are being encouraged to become active participants in safeguarding their land rights—by staying informed, reporting illegal activities, and holding wrongdoers accountable.
