MEMBERS of Parliament yesterday nodded to the Written Laws (Miscellaneous Amendments) No 4, Bill 2017, which aim at among others regulating uses of drones under new clear rules.
The bill, which Attorney General George Masaju tabled proposes amendments in the Land Disputes Courts Act, Cap. 2016, the Land Survey Act Cap. 324 and the Natural Wealth and Resources Contracts (Review and Re-negotiation of Unconscionable Terms) Act of 2017.
The proposed legislation, if effected, introduces stern penalty of at least 5m/- or two-year jail sentence to individuals convicted of taking aerial photographs without legitimate permit from the Land Surveyor.
The fine is an astonishing increment from the current 2,000/-. “It’s wise that the government agreed to raise the bar to ensure culprits don’t take advantage of the small amount they are subjected to pay,” said Parliamentary Committee on Constitution and Legal Affairs Chairperson Mohammed Mchengerwa.
He said the new amendments will protect and serve the national interests, “We had witnessed a lot of land disputes...the amendments aim at promoting professionalism in addressing land challenges in the country.”
Debating the bill, Special Seats MP Amina Mollel (CCM) said she was impressed with the weight the government has put on addressing land disputes across the country.
She argued that the disputes are among the serious issues countrywide whose resolve had been delayed and justice denied in most places. “Established district land and housing tribunals under section 22 will now deliver ruling…this is good news,” she noted.
The tribunal will be composed of at least a chairman and not less than two assessors. Temeke MP Abdallah Mtolea (CUF) accused the government of not being fair enough to forget amending the National Social Security Fund Act, of 1997.
“I thought, maybe, the government will give first priority on amendment of such vital laws, but unfortunately, it has never been the case,” he charged, saying the Masaju document contains proposal for amendments of laws that doesn’t seem to solve key problems haunting majority Tanzanians.
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