Hotuba ya Balozi wa Finland Mrs Sinikka Antila wakati akifunga Semina yamradi wa SMOLE

SMOLE Final Seminar

21 May, 2015: Speech by Her Excellency the Ambassador of Finland, Mrs. Sinikka Antila

Balozi wa Finland Nchini Tanzania Balozi Sinikka Antila Akihutubia wakati wa ufungaji wa Mradi wa SMOLE Zanzibar.

Mheshimiwa Mgeni Rasmi

Waheshimiwa Mawaziri

Waheshimiwa Wakuu wa Mikoa na Wilaya

Mheshimiwa Katibu Mkuu – Ardhi, Nyumba, Maji na Nishati

Waheshimiwa wajumbe wa kamati - Kilimo, Mazingira na Mawasiliano

Wakuu wa Idara

Wajumbe wa kamati tendaji ya SMOLE

Wawakilishi wa NIRAS

Waandishi wa Habari

Wanafunzi washindi wa insha

Wageni waalikwa, Mabibi na Mabwana

SMOLE Oyee!!!

Mtakubaliana nami kuwa upimaji na usajili wa ardhi na matumizi bora ya ardhi hiyohiyo, ni suala muhimu sana katika kuwezesha wananchi kumiliki ardhi, na kuisimamia matumizi endelevu.

Finland has a longstanding partnership with the Revolutionary Government Zanzibar and we are delighted of increasingly collaboration between institutions and individuals. We always have wanted to highlight that we have worked together since 1991 to address Land Administration challenges in Zanzibar and we have achieved much in that time. SMOLE has been our shining star where to take high level visitors from Finland.

The partnership between the Zanzibar and Finland has achieved a lot of improvements that have been delivered in the fields of Surveying, Planning, Environment and Forestry including the National Land Policy and National Spatial Development Strategy.

We have noticed in many such sectors as forestry, environment, agriculture and rural development that land tenure, land use and land use planning are key elements for development and progress. Land use plans in communities ensures communities' and individuals' rights to land and livelihoods, reduces land conflicts, pressure on environment and increase value of the land.  SMOLE has been in the core in land-use and land registration in Zanzibar. We warmly wish that, results of this project will be increasingly used for proper and transparency land use planning and land governance to secure the urban and rural vulnerable’ rights and on the other hand attract investors.

Robust data, information and modern technology from mapping to field surveys are prerequisite for an efficient, socially and environmentally sustainable land use. We have been proud of the expertise and technology provided by our Finnish partner, Niras Company, to work together with the Zanzibar partners.

One of the most notable milestones was the launch of Systematic Land Registration in Zanzibar in March 2013. During the last year the Systematic Registration process with modern tools was established and we are happy to hear of increasing use and number of registrations every day. One of the main pillars for economic development is a sound and reliable system of land registration, allowing citizens to transact against their property and for businesses and entrepreneurship to thrive. We are very delighted and proud of this success.

Zanzibar Land Information System (ZALIS) another key output of project is the culmination of many years of development. An outfit of ZALIS systems by Zanzibar authorities and other stakeholders into a fully functioning system will link with the Government of Zanzibar’s e-Government initiative.  This will provide easier access to all land related data for the public, Government and businesses.

The threats of climate change are increasingly worrying. We hope that in the end of this year in Paris the climate change agreement will be signed and it will support climate change resilience in Zanzibar.  We are content that the results of SMOLE directly promote awareness of climate change and through land use planning addresses vulnerability to climate change and promote sustainable management of natural resources and environment protection.

As you may be aware, Finland will have a new government in two weeks’ time. Major changes are expected in relation to the future development policy and funding framework. New forms of collaboration emphasising more institutional relationship, normal trade and investment are expected to be highlighted. In this respect the planned new initiatives in form of Institutional Cooperation Projects between Zanzibar authorities and companies and the National Survey of Finland, the Finnish Environment Centre and private sector companies are warmly welcomed and we are very optimistic that funding can be found from our government for implementing them.    

Mwisho,

Napenda sana niwashukuru kwa ushiriki wenu katika mradi wa SMOLE kwa miaka yote ya mradi huu. Pia nawatakiwa mafanikio mema katika kuendeleza shughuli za mradi huu na kutumia matokeo ya mradi kwa ajili ya maendeleo ya kijamii na kiuchumi kwa wananchi wa Zanzibar

Asanteni sana kwa kunisikiliza