Accept customary title deeds, PM tells banks

DODOMA: PRIME Minister Kassim Majaliwa has ordered banks operating in the country to accept the customary land title deeds as collateral for loans and other services, arguing that the documents are legally recognised.

“Some financial institutions may reject them just upon their will, I urge all institutions to continue using these documents and give loan opportunities to people holding these documents,” Premier Majaliwa stated on Thursday in the Parliament when fielding questions from the Members of the Parliament.

His statement came in the wake of an inquiry raised by Mr Atupele Mwakibete (Busokelo-CCM).

In his question, Mr Mwakibete argued that despite the government having done great things, citizens holding certificates of customary right of occupancy have been facing challenges in accessing loans because financial institutions claim not to recognise such documents.

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According to Mr Mwakibete, the situation has been negatively affecting rural dwellers, who despite owning properties, the segment of the country’s population has been finding itself languishing in abject poverty as they are denied access to loans.

The MP sought the Prime Minister’s statement on the government’s plan to enable those people acquire title deeds that are recognised.

Responding to the MP, Mr Majaliwa stated that all title deeds issued by the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development including the customary land titles are legal documents and people possessing them have the right to have access to loans.

“Today, we continue surveying the land countrywide, the ministry surveys lands in district and municipal councils before issuing these title deeds, so these documents are legally recognised,” the PM stressed.

Meanwhile, the PM spoke about the government systems of encouraging big strategic foreign investors into the country through the immigration incentives.

He said the government has systems and immigration laws which allow foreign investors in strategic projects, businesses or work to be given special permits that enable them to benefit from the incentives.

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“The government has put in place a procedure for big investors to be granted permits through the President’s Office (Planning and Investment) and the Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC). If they want citizenship, we have a special window for them to apply for citizenship when they have lived in the country for more than 10 years. We grant citizenship after being satisfied,” Mr Majaliwa explained.

He promised that the government will continue to improve laws to enhance a friendlier environment for major strategic investors.

His statement on the immigration issues for investors was in response to a question from Special Seats MP Janeth Mahawanga (CCM) who asked when the government will review the law so as to enable strategic investors who have lived in the country for many years to acquire citizenship.

Furthermore, Mr Majaliwa assured the Parliament that construction of one-stop checkpoints along the central corridor was ongoing to facilitate transit cargo from the Dar es Salaam Port to the neighbouring countries.

“The construction works are ongoing. Since we have many centres, I assure that the plan to construct them is intact,” he stressed.

He said the government continues strengthening the cargo inspection as well as revenue collection from the country’s ports. He stated this when responding to concern from Biharamulo West lawmaker Ezra Chiwelesa, who wanted to know the government’s plan to construct the checkpoints along the central corridor.

On the other hand, he urged Tanzanian young graduates who volunteer in public offices to register with the Tanzania Employment Services Agency (TaESA). Mr Majaliwa said the agency coordinates the volunteers in government offices, whereby it works with employers to see the possibility of giving incentives to the volunteers.

He said registering with the TaESA enables them to get incentives for them to meet some of their basic needs.