The Tanzanian government has issued a stern directive to all public institutions to immediately survey and secure their land boundaries to halt a rising tide of encroachment and ownership conflicts.

Speaking in the lush highlands of Lushoto, the Minister for Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development, Leonard Akwilapo, did not mince words. His directive comes as a direct response to an increasingly chaotic landscape where unmarked government territories are being swallowed by informal settlements and private developers. "The Ministry of Lands is ready, and we are here to issue title deeds for government land," Akwilapo declared, signaling a shift from passive observation to active enforcement.

The Lushoto Flashpoint

The urgency of this mandate was underscored by recent events in Tanga Region. During a tour by Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba, tensions boiled over at the Lushoto District Commissioner’s Office and the Bumbuli District Council. Residents, who had settled on land claimed by these public bodies, faced eviction, sparking a heated confrontation about historical rights versus legal documentation. This incident has become a microcosm of a national crisis: public institutions, often sitting on vast tracts of unsurveyed land, are finding themselves in bitter battles with local communities who view the idle earth as theirs for the taking.

• The "Survey or Lose It" Mandate: Minister Akwilapo emphasized that institutions failing to secure their title deeds are essentially inviting encroachment.
• Citizen Responsibility: The call to action extended to private citizens. "Survey your own land, avoid unplanned construction, and obtain building permits," the Minister urged, linking personal land security to national stability.
• The PM's Warning: The directive aligns with Prime Minister Nchemba's broader campaign against administrative lethargy, warning that vague boundaries are a breeding ground for corruption and social unrest.

A Systemic Failure?

Land disputes in Tanzania have long been fueled by a lack of formal data. Vast areas of the country remain unmapped, creating a "grey zone" where ownership is often determined by occupation rather than law. By forcing public institutions to lead by example, the government hopes to create a domino effect of formalization. However, critics argue that the cost of surveying remains a barrier for many, and without subsidized support, the Minister's call may go unheeded by the cash-strapped local councils that need it most.

As the sun sets over the Usambara Mountains, the message from Lushoto is clear: the era of ambiguity is over. For public institutions, the choice is now stark—define your borders today, or defend them in court tomorrow.