From speculation to certainty, safeguarding Dar’s iconic shoreline

DAR ES SALAAM: THE government’s firm declaration that Coco Beach will remain a public asset marks a decisive and reassuring moment for residents of Dar es Salaam.

Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba has not only dispelled weeks of speculation about a potential sale but has also reaffirmed a broader principle: that key public spaces must serve citizens first, not private interests.

Coco Beach is more than a stretch of sand, it is a social and economic lifeline.

For thousands of small-scale traders, food vendors and informal entrepreneurs, it represents daily income and survival.

For families and youths, it is one of the few accessible recreational spaces in a rapidly urbanising city.

To lose such a space to privatisation would have been to erode both livelihoods and public life.

The Prime Minister’s remarks align with the longstanding position of President Samia Suluhu Hassan and echo the earlier stance of the late John Magufuli, who also insisted the beach remains open to the public.

This policy continuity is commendable. It signals that some national assets are simply too important to be commodified. However, reassurance alone is not enough.

The real challenge lies in transforming Coco Beach into a well-managed, safe and economically vibrant public space.

Past criticisms, particularly those raised during Magufuli’s tenure, about poor sanitation, lack of basic facilities and weak management still resonate. If the beach is to remain public, it must also be functional, clean and dignified.

Equally significant is Dr Nchemba’s directive to local officials to leave their offices and engage directly with citizens. This call for grassroots governance is timely.

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Too often, bureaucratic distance has undermined service delivery and eroded trust.

Direct engagement could bridge that gap, ensuring that development plans reflect the lived realities of those who depend on the beach.

There is also an opportunity here to formalise and empower small businesses operating in the area.

With proper planning, designated vending zones, improved infrastructure and transparent revenue systems, Coco Beach can become a model for inclusive urban development.

Ultimately, the government has made the right promise. Now it must deliver. Keeping Coco Beach public is only the first step, making it work for the public is the true measure of success.