MPs raise alarm over double land allocations in Dodoma

DODOMA: LANDOWNERS in Dodoma have continued to grapple with persistent issues of double plot allocations, drawing strong complaints from Members of Parliament who claim to have been victims of the problem.

Both the Minister for Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development, Deogratius Ndejembi, and his Deputy, Geoffrey Pinda, acknowledged the problem.

They said double allocations are a consequence of a challenging system handover when land management transitioned from the former Capital Development Authority (CDA) to the Dodoma City Council and are further exacerbated by the actions of unscrupulous employees who continue to use outdated land management systems.

During a parliamentary session yesterday a Member of Parliament for Iringa Urban Ms Jesca Msambatavangu (CCM) voiced her frustration, revealing that she herself has been a victim of a double allocation.

According to the MP, it has been difficult to resolve the issue for five years despite the establishment of land clinics aimed at addressing such disputes.

A Special Seats Member of Parliament from Ruvuma Region, Jackline Msongozi (CCM) echoed similar concerns, saying eight months have passed as she continues to wait for a “control number” for her property.

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The Deputy Minister, Mr Pinda, attributed the problem of double allocations to the shift in land management from the former Capital Development Authority (CDA) to the Dodoma City Council, following Dodoma’s elevation to city status.

“The problem of double allocation of plots came up due to a shift from CDA system to city council system,” Mr Pinda explained.

He added: “there was a lack of consistency between the two systems, but this issue has been worked on.”

He further revealed that immediately after the transition, there were 5,000 cases of double allocations, a number that has now been reduced to 1,000.

In a candid admission, the Minister for Lands, Mr Ndejembi, acknowledged that some double allocation cases were indeed the result of “dishonest and unscrupulous staff” within the ministry flawed system transition and who continue to use old system of land management.

“I admit here that the problem of double allocation has been contributed to by unfaithful ministry employees,” Minister Ndejembi said.

He stressed that the main contributing factor to double allocations is the continued use of old system in land management by some staff for their illmotives.

“The problem is that some of our staff are issuing land through the old system,” he said.

To combat this, Minister Ndejembi issued a stern directive to the Permanent Secretary, explicitly forbidding the use of old land management systems and mandating the exclusive use of the e-Ardhi system.

“It is forbidden to continue using any system other than eArdhi,” said the Minister in his instruction to the ministry’s PS.

He reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring the e-Ardhi system is fully rolled out nationwide by 2027.

This digital transformation is expected to enhance efficiency, secure land ownership and reduce bureaucracy in land services.