Briefing journalists after a sensitization meeting with paramount and senior chiefs from the Northern Region, the Minister said on the contrary, the bills once assented, will give powers to the people to decide on the best ways of utilizing the land.

“You should know better that authority over land was vested in the President and the Minister responsible but under the new system, there is a major shift of authority to group village head.

“Administration will be the same but through registration and other processes done at local level, Malawians will be able to do much more stuff by virtue of owning a piece of land,” said Muluzi.

Muluzi further called for support from the local leaders in the implementation strategy, saying it gives locals more authority over what is duly theirs.

Muluzi said in previous arrangement, the country lost land to foreigners since the deals did not consider some of the prevailing local issues pertaining to land acquisition.