Tanzania: Tibaijuka Makes Case for Land Bank

Dodoma — Development of Kigamboni into a new city and the creation of a land bank are among major policies entailed in the ministry of Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development budget for 2011/2012. The minister for Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development, Prof Anna Tibaijuka, told the National Assembly yesterday that her ministry would complete the establishment of Kigamboni New City Development Authority during the current fiscal year.

Prof Tibaijuka told the august House that the authority would be entrusted with the task of coordinating the creation of the new city in Temeke District, Dar es Salaam Region.
She said the new city would cover Kigamboni, Tungi, Vijibweni, Mjimwema and Kibada wards. Asking the House to approve a Sh47.9 billion budget for the project, Prof Tibaijuka said the Kigamboni New City Development Authority would be tasked with overseing assessment of people's assets and compensation during relocation from the area earmarked for the new city.
She added that the authority would also be charged with identification of new settlements for people who will be removed from areas earmarked for city planning and construction of infrastructure. She appealed to residents of Kigamboni to be patient and support the government in its efforts of turning the place into a modern city.
On the creation of a land bank, Prof Tibaijuka said it would help to identify land for investments, thus minimising land disputes between residents and investors. Unveiling her ministry's budget estimates in the House, Prof Tibaijuka, an old hand in the human settlements portfolio with vast experience, including working as former executive director for UN-Habitat, added that in 2010/11 a total of 66 farms in Morogoro Region were identified and proposed as an inclusion to the land bank.
She noted that 112 farms in Arusha Region have also been proposed for setting up a land bank. She said the establishment of the land bank would also cut red tape in the allocation of land to investors.
Debating the ministry's budget estimates, the MP for Temeke (CCM), Mr Abbas Mtemvu, urged the government to be serious when implementing the Kigamboni city project lest it became another white elephant.
He said several such projects have ended frustrating people they intended to benefit.Mr Mtemvu gave as an example the expansion of the Dar es Salaam port project at Kurasini area where people who were removed from the area to pave the way for the project have not been compensated since 2006.
"These people are living miserable lives regadless of directives from President Kikwete and the Prime Minister to compensate them," said the MP, refusing to support the budget unless the minister stated when the Kurasini people would be compensated.