PARLIAMENT this week turned its attention to critical weaknesses in the Crown Land Lease System (CLLS).
This came after the tabling of a comprehensive report by the auditor-general on the system which highlighted long standing governance, technological, and operational challenges affecting the management of State land, one of the country’s most valuable public assets.
Public Accounts Committee chairman Manoa Kamikamica said the audit was conducted between January 2020 and October 2023, and examined whether the CLLS is efficient, secure, and fit for purpose.
It was carried out using internationally recognised IT audit standards.
Mr Kamikamica said several serious concerns were identified, including weak systems control, governance gaps and insufficient safeguards to protect critical land records from data loss or system failure.
These vulnerabilities raise questions about the reliability and resilience of the system responsible for managing State land leases.
Adding to the debate, Opposition MP Faiyaz Koya acknowledged that while some issues flagged in the report may have already been addressed, the findings remain highly relevant. He described the audit as a “timely intervention,” noting that deficiencies in the system had persisted for years.
A central issue highlighted in the report is the lack of integration between government departments.
Ministries and agencies continue to operate in silos, complicating coordination and slowing progress toward full digitisation.
This fragmentation has tangible consequences, including difficulties in accurately tracking lease payments and determining outstanding revenue.
Mr Koya emphasised that digitisation is key to resolving many of these challenges but warned that the process is complex and resource-intensive.
In some cases, he said, physical files still need to be transported between offices, reflecting the extent of reliance on outdated systems.
“Until we achieve full digitisation, many of these inefficiencies will remain,” he said.
The report also highlighted the need for stronger internal controls, particularly in financial management.
One recommendation calls for the development of a centralised mechanism to track expired leases and monitor payments more effectively, an essential step toward improving accountability and revenue collection.
Beyond technical issues, the debate shed light on human resource challenges within the Ministry of Lands, with skilled professionals — especially in specialised areas such as mineral resources — being difficult to retain due to competition from higher-paying private sector jobs.
This loss of expertise hampers the ministry’s ability to implement reforms and maintain system integrity.
Despite the challenges, there was broad agreement in Parliament that the report provides valuable guidance.
