THE government is losing billions in uncollected revenues due to slow pace in planning, surveying and leasing land, the House heard yesterday
Debating the 2021/22 budget estimates for the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Human Settlement Development in Dodoma, the lawmakers said land is the only resource that if well managed, can earn the government fortune.
Jerry Silaa—Ukonga (CCM) argued that the government is losing big time by not putting enough
resources in planning, surveying and leasing of land.
“The government must allocate more money so that it gets more in land rates,” he said. He added that the formalization of informal settlements which is another sources of revenue which started in 2015 in urban areas is not yielding fruit because of lack of resources.
“There is only one land expert in the entire district of Rorya and that person is expected to perform all duties and deliver,” said Jafari Chege—Rorya (CCM)
He added that there is need for the government to work with the private sector to speed up the planning, surveying and leasing of land for it to benefit both the state and citizens.
“Since independence in 1961 only 6 million plots have been surveyed and only 2.5 million of them have title deeds. A total of 1.6 million plots have been formalized by the private sector players so far,” he said.
“The government needs to work with the private sector on this.”
Taska Mbogo—Special Seats (CCM) said the fact that only 25 per cent of Tanzanian land is surveyed means that billions in annual revenue are left to lie idle.
She said there is not shortcut to getting that money except pumping money into planning, surveying and leasing.
“Land is the only wealth from which the government can make money sustainably and for eternity,” said Ali Makoa—Kondoa Urban (CCM).
But for that to happen, he said the government must put in place manpower to plan, survey and lease the land.
“Many types of council do not have land planners and surveyors and without these experts cannot make progress,” he said.
Godwin Kunambi—Mlimba (CCM) also argued that the role of private sector players in land planning and survey is important for quick development of the sector.
“There is a success story in Dodoma where over 200,000 plots have been surveyed and leased out mainly to civil servants who moved to Dodoma recently,” he said.