Minister Silaa to deal with Land Disputes in Morogoro

Minister of Lands, Housing, and Human Settlements Development Hon. Jerry Silaa has resolved long-standing land disputes, including at the CCT Forest, after citizens encroached and established permanent residences, following directives from President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan to survey the area and grant legal ownership to the residents.

These agreements were reached on July 9 this year, following Minister Jerry Silaa’s visit to Mvomero District and a meeting with the residents who had encroached on the area.

Highlighting further on the timber forest land conflict, Minister Silaa stated that President Samia Suluhu Hassan of the United Republic of Tanzania directed the allocation of 5,113 acres from the forest, with 1,204 plots to be surveyed for the residents who had been living there to verify and be given property deeds.

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“President Samia has ordered the 5,113 acres to be allocated to Tanzanians’ forest, and the area is to be surveyed for 1,204 plots, which will be granted permissions in an orderly manner,” said Hon. Jerry Silaa.

In another development, Minister Jerry Silaa stated that the government has agreed to issue land ownership titles to residents who were allocated land in the Msamvu area since 1978 and established permanent residences and businesses, despite an initial map designating the area for other social activities, including sports fields.

He also said that the government would no longer issue permissions to claim open spaces, and the map would remain as it is. He urged land sector officials in the country to ensure that conflict-prone areas are heard and resolved to avoid unnecessary government entanglement in unproductive disputes.

On his part, Morogoro Regional Commissioner Hon. Adam Kighoma Malima commended Minister Jerry Silaa for allocating his time to solve issues for Morogoro Region citizens, particularly those involving land conflicts.

Earlier, Morogoro Assistant Commissioner of Lands Mr. Frank John Minzikuntwe stated that in 2022, the government issued directives to verify residents who had built their houses in the timber forest area, and following the 5,113-acre survey, 1,204 plots were found, which will be granted property deeds, while open areas will remain government property.