PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan will establish two investigative teams on land issues in Ngorongoro and assessing the voluntary relocation process from the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCAA) to other regions, including Msomera area in Handeni, Tanga Region.

The president made these affirmations at the State Lodge in Arusha yesterday, at a meeting with clan elders from the Maasai community for the Ngorongoro area.

The meeting was convened for hearing the elders, in response to paralysis of voluntary relocation as a substantial section of the community is not responding, compelling the government to restore social services in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

The government is working to improve relations between the conservation agency, the government and the local community, acknowledging that involving citizens appropriately in the planning and implementation of projects in their areas is vital.

She stated that Tanzania is a nation proud of its unity, with a government that serves all Tanzanians, asking the Regional Administration and Local Governments ministry in the President’s Office (PO-RALG) to address the challenges arising.

This includes existing shortage of certain social services in the area, while Onesmo Olengurumwa, the Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition (THRDC) coordinator, said the move was a significant step in meeting the long-standing demands of residents in the area.

“We emphasised that the president should meet with the people, and we are grateful that she has at least met with them,” he said.

 “Our complaint is that the right people should have been involved,” he said, urging that an independent commission should be formed with all stakeholders who have relevant assessments.

He further expressed disappointment that many stakeholders with numerous proposals were not involved, and that they are waiting to see the commission that has been designated.

Anna Henga, the Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC) executive director, said that forming a commission is not something to be overly celebrated, stressing the need for the commission being transparent and its recommendations being implemented.

“There are significant challenges in Ngorongoro, and if they really want to work, the recommendations must be fully implementable," she said.

The government launched a plan to voluntarily relocate approximately 20,000 households, comprising about 115,000 people from the NCA with an aim of protecting the lives of people and animals and preserve the biodiversity of a well-known global heritage site.

The move was however criticised by local and foreign activists on grounds that traditional rights of using the land were being ignored, even as the relocation was voluntary.