BY LESLEY FOINAGWA IN WEST KWAIO
Community members in West Kwaio, Malaita Province, have been encouraged to record their customary land rights to protect their land for future generations.
The message was shared during a customary land recording awareness programme held at Geaidingale Community High School on Friday, 21 August 2026. The programme was organised by the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Survey.
Land Recording Officer David Oroi told participants that recording customary land was an important way to protect their rights.
“Securing your land rights today for tomorrow,” Mr Oroi said.
He explained that customary land recording involves documenting land rights and keeping the information at provincial and central land recording offices.
The records include the name of the land-holding group, its genealogy and members, land boundaries, primary and secondary rights, and the names of representatives.
Mr Oroi said the process was important for tribes, government, communities, women and young people.
He said recording land could help protect the rights of land-holding groups and preserve important land knowledge for future generations.
“Customary land recording can also contribute to peace and stability,” he said.
For many communities, customary land is more than a piece of ground. It is connected to family history, culture, identity and the lives of future generations. Proper records can help communities protect these connections and reduce confusion over land ownership.
Mr Oroi said customary land is collectively owned by a land-holding group and must be managed according to custom. He added that land disputes could also be addressed through customary reconciliation.
The recording process is carried out by the Tribal Land Recording Unit of the Ministry. It includes several steps, beginning with an application and public notice.
This is followed by recording land rights, marking boundaries, issuing a notice of completion, public inspection and finally the issuance of a Certificate of Completion.
Director of Land Reform Hellen Houkeni was among the ministry officials who attended the programme.
Member of the Malaita Provincial Assembly for Ward 28, John Daubo, and Malaita Provincial Premier Elijah Asilaua also attended.
The awareness programme gave community members an opportunity to understand their customary land rights and learn how recording them can help protect their land and traditional knowledge for generations to come.
