Issue title deeds to all land use planning areas, says Bunge Committee

SINGIDA: THE Parliamentary Standing Committee on Lands, Natural Resources and Tourism has urged the government to ensure that land title deeds are issued to all residents of villages involved in the ongoing Land Use Planning Programme across the country.

The directive was made by the Committee’s Chairperson, Mr Timotheo Mzava, during a visit to Msungua Village in Ikungi District, Singida Region, where members assessed the implementation progress of the land use planning initiatives.

Mr Mzava said that issuing title deeds would enable residents to appreciate the practical benefits of the project and encourage them to make more productive use of their land.

“We are highly impressed by the Ministry’s performance. The work done so far is visible and commendable. However, such a large-scale project must be completed in full. Without completing all phases, the intended quality and impact cannot be achieved,” said Mr Mzava.

He warned that leaving the programme incomplete could undermine its intended outcomes.

“It is our strong recommendation that every time you launch such initiatives, you see them through to the end so that citizens fully benefit,” he added.

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Acknowledging budgetary constraints faced by the Ministry, Mr Mzava urged that all efforts be made to ensure residents of Msungua Village, symbolically representing 333 villages across the country, receive their title deeds.

Deputy Minister for Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development, Mr Geophrey Pinda, echoed the importance of protecting demarcated areas to facilitate future development.

“Many parts of the country lack public services simply because land was never properly designated. Protect your land so that when funding becomes available or investors arrive, implementation can begin without delay,” he said.

Earlier, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Ms Lucy Kabyemera, informed the gathering that the ministry had received 5bn/- in March this year to support the preparation of land use plans in 333 villages.

She said that as of this month, plans had been completed in 224 villages, representing 67.27 per cent of the target and assured that the remaining villages would be covered by the end of June 2025.

Ms Kabyemera outlined several benefits of the programme, including improved community awareness of land and environmental laws, as well as strengthened capacity of village councils and planning committees in managing land resources.