Tanzania Shows The Way

Tanzania discloses that about 2/3 of the people living in its cities are living illegally, many of them as squatters. But Lands Minister Gideon Cheyo vowed that the country was embarking on an ambitious plan to provide security of tenure to everyone, regardless of the legality of their land holding. "We are in the process of formalisation of land [and] housing in unplanned areas," he said. "The aim of the programme is to officially recognise such property and finally create security of tenure." He told IRIN Africa that more than half the homes in Dar es Salaam have been registered. With security of tenure, people will improve their communities, over time, as they have the money. And they feel more right to organize to demand public services such as water, electricity and sewers.