The Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, has expressed concern that the de-vesting of state controlled lands in some parts of the Northern region was causing confusion. He said although all lands in the north in the past had been under the control of the government, portions of the encumbered lands had been utilized while parts were un-utilized during the vested period. He said this had created confusion because some chiefs were interpreting de-vesting as "All lands vested must go back to the allodia owners." The Minister said this had led to encroachments on acquired lands for state institutions like schools and hospitals that had sometimes led to violent clashes. Alhaji Idris was addressing a two-day Northern Regional Forum on the Land Administration Project (LAP), which seeks to collate public and stakeholders comments and views as input for the proposed consolidated land act in Tamale on Monday. He said the problem of the de-vesting of state controlled land had become a thorny one with undeveloped private acquired land not left out of the confusion and therefore urged the LAP Unit to take the issue of de-vesting further beyond forums and educate all on its implications. Source: GNA