Kilombero bridge construction to boost investments in Ulanga

ALVAR MWAKYUSA in Ulanga

MOROGORO Regional Commissioner Dr Steven Kebwe.

CONSTRUCTION of Kilombero Bridge here and implementation of the proposed district land use framework is poised to open-up investment opportunities in the latter given availability of fertile land for agriculture.

The Morogoro Regional Commissioner, Dr Kebwe Steven Kebwe, made the remarks here while officiating at the stakeholders’ meeting to discuss the proposed framework to be implemented in Kilombero, Ulanga and Malinyi districts.

The ambitious project, coordinated by the Land Tenure Support Programme (LTSP) and facilitated by the National Land Use Planning Commission, seeks to put in place proper land use for various activities and issuance of Certificate of Customary Right of Occupancy to residents.

“The initiative to be implemented in the next 20 years will open up Ulanga District for investments from both local and foreign investors.

We have been facing recurring land conflicts in Morogoro but through proper planning these disputes will be put to rest,” the RC stressed. Given increasing population and urbanization, the RC added further the land use framework will enable proper planning of Townships which are cropping up in the region.

He noted with concerns that 90 per cent of complaints brought to his office since he was sworn in about two months ago are related to land conflicts.

Earlier, the Ulanga District Commissioner, Ms Christina Mndeme, was pleased that the district was chosen for the pilot project, stressing for closer cooperation to make the project successful. “We want to set an example for other districts countrywide.

The LTSP will in the long run enable the district and Morogoro as a whole to address land conflicts,” she noted. Presenting the proposed framework, the Ulanga District Council’s Urban and Rural Planning Officer, Mr Samora Makoi, revealed that 47 per cent of land is protected area belonging to the famous Selous Game Reserve.

He pointed as well that out of 59 villages making the district only 42 have land use plans for agriculture, livestock keeping and other activities. Land conflicts in the district, he noted, are mostly between villagers and reserved areas as well as those pitting farmers on one hand and pastoralists on the other.

For his part, the local councillor for Mahenge Urban, Mr Nassoro Kihiyo, noted with concerns that huge chunk of land has been allocated for reserved areas such as game reserves and forests at the expense of villagers