2012年-世界发展银行全球_Vanuatu_National_Leasing_Profile___A_Preliminary_Analysis_12页_2mb

Vanuatu National Leasing Profile: Summary

Core Content

This document presents a preliminary analysis of land leasing activities in Vanuatu from 1980 to 2010, based on data from the Vanuatu Department of Lands. It outlines the legal framework, trends in leasing, lease classes, and the role of the government in managing land disputes. The report also highlights data quality issues and the need for improved land management systems.

Main Points

• Land Alienation and Legal Framework:

  • Land alienation has a long history in Vanuatu, dating back to the 1860s with the extraction of sandalwood and establishment of plantations.
  • The 1980 Constitution restored perpetual land rights to indigenous custom owners and their descendants.
  • The Land Reform Act of 1980 allowed for the continuation of occupation by alienators until lease agreements or compensation for improvements were negotiated.
  • Urban land was generally owned by the government, while rural land was under customary ownership.

• Leasing Overview:

  • As of December 2010, there were approximately 13,815 registered leases, covering 1,141.6 km² of land, which is 9.5% of Vanuatu’s total land area.
  • 5,420 of these were subdivisions, while 989 were cancelled.
  • The majority of leased land is in Shefa (490.9 km²) and Sanma (452.3 km²), with Efate and Santo being the primary islands.
  • 69.5% of urban land in Efate and 69.6% in Santo are under lease.
  • Bokissa has 90.9% of its land under lease, largely due to tourism development.
  • Aore has 65.3% of its land under lease, with 84% of its leases being subdivisions.

• Lease Class Distribution:

  • Residential leases make up 79% of all leases, but only 4% of the total leased area.
  • Commercial/tourism leases account for 11% of all leases and 9% of the total leased area.
  • Agricultural leases are 6% of all leases but 82% of the total leased area.
  • Industrial and special leases are relatively small in number and area.

• Lease Terms:

  • The maximum lease term is 75 years, with 54% of all leases being for 75 years and 46% for 50 years.
  • Rural leases are predominantly for 75 years (92%), while urban leases are mostly for 50 years (86%).
  • Subdivisions are more likely to be for 75 years (71%), indicating a trend toward long-term land use in rural areas.

• Ministerial Leases:

  • The Minister of Lands has been involved in a significant number of leases over disputed land, particularly in Efate and Santo.
  • 1,458 rural leases were signed by the Minister as lessor between 1980 and 2009.
  • There is concern about the unrestricted use of ministerial powers to grant leases, especially in areas where customary land rights are not clearly established.

• Subdivision Trends:

  • Subdivision activity has been increasing over time, with 1,989 subdivisions registered between 2006 and 2010.
  • 78% of subdivisions are for residential purposes.
  • Despite the 2006 National Land Summit calling for a moratorium on subdivisions, the activity has continued to rise.

Key Information

• Total Land Area: ~12,236 km² across ~80 islands.
• Population: ~243,023 people (176,816 rural, 52,207 urban).
• Lease Area: ~1,141.6 km², or 9.5% of the total land area.
• Lease Types:
  • Residential: 79% of all leases, 4% of leased area.
  • Commercial/Tourism: 11% of all leases, 9% of leased area.
  • Agricultural: 6% of all leases, 82% of leased area.
  • Industrial: 1% of all leases, 0% of leased area.
  • Special: 3% of all leases, 4% of leased area.
• Lease Duration:
  • 54% of leases are for 50 years, 46% for 75 years.
  • Rural leases are mostly for 75 years (92%), while urban leases are mostly for 50 years (86%).
• Subdivisions:
  • 5,420 subdivisions, with 3,798 on rural land.
  • 78% of subdivisions are for residential use.
• Data Challenges:
  • 8% of records are missing area data.
  • 24% of records are missing lease terms.
  • 29% of leases are missing lessor information.
  • There is a backlog of 4,000 unregistered leases as of October 2011.

Conclusion

The Vanuatu National Leasing Profile provides an initial understanding of the scale and nature of land leasing in the country. While it highlights the importance of customary land rights and the role of government in managing land disputes, it also underscores the need for a centralized, reliable, and comprehensive land lease database. The data indicate that leasing is widespread, particularly in rural and coastal areas, and that the practice has evolved beyond its original purpose of restoring investor confidence to include extensive subdivision and commercial use. Improving data quality and management is essential for effective land use planning and policy reform.