IN THE NEWS: CSOs propose tittle deeds of some investors to be revoked

By Gerald Kitabu

Title deeds of some investors in Iringa District should be revoked as their investments have never benefited neighboring communities, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) here have suggested.

They said some investors have been allowing pastoralists to use their investment plots at a fee, denying them access to grazing pasture.
 
They were speaking during the second community inception workshop on the state of land-based investment and resource conflicts. The workshop was designed for CSOs and organised by the Tanzania Natural Resource Forum (TNRF) in Pawaga division.
 
Citing an example, they said some investors operating hunting blocks near the Ruaha National Park were supposed to pay annual fee of 25 percent to the government but it had never trickled down to villagers in the areas.
 
Alfonse Mdindile, a member of the water users’ organisation in the division, mentioned some of the villages concerned as Magozi, Ilolo, Mkombilenga and Ukwega Hamlet in Pawaga division.
 
 “The population is increasing every year, but the land has remained the same. We would like the government to revoke their title deed,” he said.
 
For his part, the farmers’ chairman in Pawaga division, Festo Kulanga, challenged the Iringa District Council (IDC) and the government at large to train village and ward leaders.
He said this would make them understand their roles and responsibilities before assuming their duties.
 
“Our leaders have no vision of what they want to do for their people. In fact, they are part of the many problems facing residents of Pawaga and the district at large. 
 
“This is because despite being elected many are ignorant about their roles and responsibilities,” he noted.
 
He said some leaders were so ignorant of policies and land laws that they would meet just a few of them and sell part of the village land without full participation of the village council or general assembly.
 
The vice chairman of pastoralists in Ilolo Mpya ward, Emmanuel Sailutye accused some village leaders of rampant corruption. He said they were soliciting for bribes to allow pastoralists from neibouring regions, like Dodoma, to enter the division.
 
The programmes coordinator for land-based investments with the Tanzania Natural Resource Forum (TNRF), Godfrey Massay, said the investors should maintain good relationships with surrounding communities. 

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN