Buildings nationalised under the 1971 Buildings Acquisitions Act will remain public property despite amendments to the law, which were passed by the National Assembly in Dar es Salaam recently. The amendments withdrew the Presidential powers to acquire certain buildings under the 1971 Act.

The Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Ndugu Kingunge Ngombale-Mwiru, said that the proposed changes were in line with President Nyerere’s announcement authorising private individuals to undertake real estate development. The Minister explained, however, that the changes take effect from May 1985, which meant that buildings already acquired under the Act would remain public property.

Pointing out that the government move would result in a rush for plots by land developers, Ndugu Ngombale-Mwiru directed urban and district councils to observe their respective town plans while allocating new plots. The Minister told MPs that the circumstances which led to the enactment of the Buildings Acquisition Act were no longer relevant. He explained, for example, that when the law was enacted, residential areas in urban areas were distinguished on the basis of the colour of residents. Each town had an area for the Waswahili, the Wahindi and the Wazungu. Ndugu Ngombale-Mwiru said this discrimination made the urban areas potentially explosive politically. He told the House that the situation had since been transformed and settlement in towns was no longer based on race.