Dar trader under fire over deceiving RC Makonda

DAILY NEWS Reporter

MINISTER for Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development, Mr William Lukuvi shows reporters one of the land title deeds in Dar es Salaam yesterday. Left is Deputy Minister, Ms Angelina Mabula and Permanent Secretary, Dr Yamungu Kyandabila.(Photo by the Ministry)

 

LANDS, Housing and Human Settlement Development Minister William Lukuvi has threatened stern measures against businessman Mohamed Iqbar, accusing him of deceiving Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner Paul Makonda through donation of land which he does not own.

The owner of Azimio Estates last week offered 1,500 acres in Kigamboni area to the RC to develop small industries, knowing that the land does not belong to him.

“Mr Iqbar had filed a case in court claiming that the area was his but he lost the case; the truth is, part of the land belongs to residents in the area and the government,” the minister told reporters in Dar es Salaam yesterday.

He added, “The government cannot tolerate people who mislead government leaders for their own benefits. Why did he have to offer the land to the RC knowing that it is not his and he had already lost the case?”

The Minister explained that the government will put the interests of the people first, stressing that the land will be distributed to residents in the area and the remaining portion used for industrial development.

“The ministry appreciates the dreams by RC Makonda to set up industrial park at the area and this is what the central government will do after distributing part of it to the people,” he explained.

Mr Lukuvi was irked that the actions by the businessman could create hate between the government and people.

During the handover of the land last week, Mr Iqbar claimed to be the bonafide owner of the property, saying he had offered it to the RC to support small and medium entrepreneurs to establish small-scale factories.

At the accession, it was apparent that RC Makonda had smelt rat in the donation, sounding a warning against cheating.

Meanwhile, Mr Lukuvi said the ministry will next month publish names of longstanding defaulters of land and property taxes countrywide. The Minister said the government will act tough on all land title holders who are fond of defaulting in tax payment.