Dr Tulia calls for diligence in land and nvestment-related decisions

MBEYA: THE President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and Member of Parliament for Uyole Constituency, Dr Tulia Ackson, has urged experts at the Mbeya City Council to exercise caution when making investment-related decisions, stressing that not every piece of council-owned land should be sold to investors.

Speaking during the Mbeya City Council meeting held today, July 31, 2026, Dr Ackson warned that indiscriminate disposal of public land could deprive the city of space needed for future development projects.

She emphasized that before submitting proposals to sell council land to the Full Council, technical officials should engage in consultations and explore alternative options that safeguard the council’s long-term interests.

During the meeting, Dr Ackson also called for unity among councillors, reminding them that although Mbeya City has two parliamentary constituencies represented by two Members of Parliament, it operates under a single City Council that makes decisions collectively.

She urged councillors to prioritize the broader interests of all city residents rather than focusing on the specific wards or constituencies they represent.

ALSO READ: SADC calls for increased investment in raw material’s value addition as key to industrialisation

“We should all make decisions that promote the overall development of Mbeya City instead of concentrating only on the areas we represent,” she said.

Dr Ackson further directed council experts to undertake long-term studies on the availability of land for cemeteries, noting that the city’s growing population is increasing demand for burial space while available land continues to shrink.

“Our population is growing, but the city’s land is not expanding. Cemetery space is also becoming increasingly limited. Where will we bury our people in the future?” she asked.

She said the council should establish policies that promote efficient use of cemetery land, ensuring that all families can bury their loved ones in a manner that conserves space rather than constructing large family burial plots based on financial capacity, a practice she said is contributing to the rapid depletion of available burial land.