AfricaPress-Tanzania: PRESIDENT John Magufuli has issued a six-month ultimatum to Singida Regional Commissioner Dr Rehema Nchimbi, and Manyoni District leaders to immediately resolve a long-standing land dispute caused by the land unit at Majengo area.
He issued the directive on Sunday when he made a stop to greet Manyoni residents on his way to Dodoma from Tabora.
Besides the salutation, Dr Magufuli took time to listen to land-related problems that face people of the area.
The problems include a dispute involving the land department, which was accused of taking land belonging to the people without paying any compensation while other people were ordered to vacate their places while they had offers.
The wanachi told the president that move had raised complaints between the owners of the land and the district land unit.
President Magufuli ordered people possessing offers to be left to continue developing their areas while traditional owners should be compensated as per the requirement of the law.
“The people who obtained ownership traditionally, their land should not be taken…you should ensure that they are compensated within six months,” he said.
He warned that the issue of land if not well handled can cause disputes, urging the officials to stick to the requirements of the law and good governance in handling such matters.
Moreover, Dr Magufuli inquired that the land which had once belonged to Elizabeth Msalali (90) and later taken by a land officer identified as Msafiri and then leased to a mobile telephone company which has built a communication tower should at once returned to the old woman.
According to President Magufuli, Ms Msalali should be left to enter into a leasing contract with the company.
On the other hand, the president expressed discontent at the limited understanding demonstrated by the Manyoni District Council Chairperson, Mr Jumanne Mlagaza with regard to various issues relating to budget, projects and people’s concerns.
Based on that, the president ordered councillors countrywide to be very cautious and closely follow-up on all issues relating to their councils instead of leaving everything to the executives to do as they please.
Earlier, the Head of State asked for clarification from the Singida Regional Commissioner regarding the land related problems in her region. In response, the RC pledged to ensure the matter is resolved on time since it has already been listed in her office.
She pointed out that the issue has also reached the President’s Office (Regional Administration and Local Government), noting that people will get their rights.
In another development, Dr Magufuli greeted the residents of Bahi in Dodoma Region, urging them to use the rain season to embark on food crop cultivation.
Equally, the president posed a challenge to harvest rain water and supply it to the people in tackling the experienced water shortage.
This is not the first time President Magufuli intervenes on issues relating to land disputes.
On the Law Day in February 2020, President Magufuli raised his concern over delays in the resolution of land disputes, which he said was not fair to parties. He was not happy with the way Ward, District and Housing Tribunals were handling the disputes.
“Perhaps a special team should be formed to address this challenge. I’m not sure if these ward tribunals are doing their job well. Time has come to make the judiciary oversee them effectively because they are tarnishing its image,” he said.
