Prime Minister Dr Mwigulu Nchemba has instructed officials to accelerate land valuation work in the Bagamoyo Special Economic Zone to enable compensation for residents whose land was taken for development. He made the directive during a visit to the Hongwang Tanzania industrial park in Bagamoyo District, Coast Region. The government has set aside dedicated funding to compensate affected residents, he said.
Dr Nchemba told the President's Office, the Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority and the Ministry of Lands to work together with regional and district authorities to complete the valuation process. Once compensation is paid, land should be formally titled and clearly marked to prevent encroachment and future ownership disputes, he added. He said completing land procedures promptly would allow investment plans to move forward while protecting the rights of affected residents.
The Bagamoyo Special Economic Zone is intended to draw investment, expand manufacturing and create jobs through new industrial facilities and related businesses.
Separately, Dr Nchemba opened the tenth assembly of the Maritime Organisation for Eastern, Southern and Northern Africa in Dar es Salaam, calling for stronger regional cooperation in shipping. Safe routes, efficient transport networks and environmental protection are essential to expanding trade and advancing Africa's economic integration, he said. He stressed that effective implementation of regional water transport agreements would improve businesses' market access and strengthen trade between African countries.