Knowledge gained is a powerful tool to shape a prosperous and sustainable future. With this in mind, Patrick IRADUKUNDA, our Land Administration and Management Fellow, joined the Land Surveyors Training program organized by the National Land Authority (NLA).
Designed to empower practitioners to implement Rwanda’s Land Law, 2021, the training unpacked the land registration processes, practice guidelines and land administration as prescribed in the new legislation.
As Patrick reflects on the training, he says:
“Going into this training, I was expecting it to be technical, to my surprise it was a blend of technical and theory. I discovered that the new Land Law of 2021 marks a turning point in land administration. It not only reformulates existing land-related articles but also introduces crucial provisions, such as Section 3, Article 25, which acknowledges the vital role of practitioners in providing high quality land services to the public. A new level of close collaboration between public servants (land surveyors), and private notaries will ensure smooth land transactions and uphold transparency. This new law empowers us to navigate the evolving terrain of land administration and contribute to a more inclusive and prosperous future for the public we serve, and Rwanda.
The training also sought to enhance skills and provide a platform for professional growth for practitioners like myself, providing the opportunity for networking and sharing experiences, insights, and innovative ideas. The collaborative environment not only enriched my professional relationships but also compelled me to be a part of the collective ambition to shape the future of land administration in Rwanda.”
With the completion of the three-day program, Patrick left with an expanded skill set, a deeper understanding of land surveying principles, and a strong determination to implement positive change in his role at the NLA. In contemplation, Patrick shares that with a focus on improving the land subdivision process, he will implement strict quality control measures to ensure professionalism and accuracy, addressing malpractices and inadequate skills used by private surveyors. By leveraging advanced surveying techniques and geospatial data management technologies like NSDI, he is determined to contribute to the achievement of precise boundary demarcations, reducing errors, and guiding clients effectively using national land use master plans for informed decisions.
When discussing the training’s outcomes, Patrick emphasizes, “I can confidently affirm that I now feel more empowered to guide clients accurately, providing essential information about the land they intend to acquire by referencing either the national land use master plan or district land use master plan. This includes details about current land use and planned land use, thereby helping clients make informed decisions. Furthermore, the knowledge I acquired will enable me to tackle boundary rectification with precision using accurate data and advanced surveying techniques which in turn will contribute to efficient service delivery.”
