Writes Leo Odera Omolo

Report emerging from the semi autonomous revolutionary government of Zanzibar says lack of transparency and collective responsibility in public institutions is to blame for increased land disputes in the Islands.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry if Land, Settlements, Water and Energy Mwalimu Ali Mwalimu, said last week that some civil servants have been implicated in corrupt land allocations on the Spice Islands.

The PS said corruption is undeniable and may involve individuals in public institutions, but general lack of transparency in dealing with land issues remains a big problem.

“We cannot avoid land disputes if we are not transparent and observe collective responsibility,” said the PS, adding that there were many land disputes in Zanzibar – especially invasion of open spaces and road reserves.

Mwalimu reported that some people, surprisingly, held genuine permits for use of such lands, but said this was due to lack of transparency and the fact that many government departments were involved in land leases.

The Permanent Secretary said institutions and leaders at all levels, including Shehas, must be transparent when on land issues to avoid controversies and advised people to expose dubious land deals.

He said the government had decided to lease Mambo Msiige Heritage Sites area in the Stone Town to a company that owns Kempiskii for USD 1.5 million for further development of the area, prompting the dispute over open space and the Mambo Msiige historical building at Frorodhani – between Aga Khan Cultural Foundation and Kempskii Hotels.

The government, he said, decided to issue a 99-year lease of an area comprising Mambo Msiige building, starehe club and the open space at Forodhani seafront to Kempskii.

The company will rehabilitate the historical building and develop the open space as per Zanzibar Stone Town Conservation Regulations.

The Stone Town Heritage Society has strongly protested and raised concern over the lease, arguing that the planned development would puts the town at risk of losing its status as a World Heritage Site.

Kempskii Hotels is owned by ASB Holdings Company of Dubai. It is planning to rehabilitate Mambo Msiige old building into a five star hotel, and develop the open space into a modern leisure park.

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