​ARIMO Workers' Aspirations in the Light of the General Elections

Posted On: 29, April 2025

ARIMO Workers' Aspirations in the Light of the General Elections

As Tanzania approaches the 2025 General Election—a momentous national exercise to elect the President, Members of Parliament, and Councilors—May Day (International Workers’ Day) takes on a renewed and profound significance. No longer just a date marked by rallies and songs, this year's May Day becomes a platform for reflection, for advocacy, and for envisioning a future shaped by justice, dignity, and sustainable development.

In this spirit of national anticipation, the workers of Ardhi Institute Morogoro (ARIMO) have chosen to raise their collective voice, united by a common plea and purpose: "May the 2025 General Election usher in leaders who will prioritize land planning and surveying for decent housing and sustainable development."

Planning the Nation, Plot by Plot

It is in well-planned land that cities thrive. It is on justly surveyed plots that communities live with dignity and security. These sentiments echo the wisdom of Kofi Annan, who once said, “The right to adequate housing is the right to a life with dignity.” For ARIMO workers, this is not a distant ideal—it is a daily reality, a professional calling, and a national responsibility.

They believe development does not arrive by chance. It is forged through expertise, integrity, and effort. And in the land sector, progress is shaped by the skilled hands of planners, surveyors, and policymakers.

Voices from the Ground

In conversations with ARIMO staff, a deeper picture emerges—a mosaic of hopes, concerns, and unwavering commitment to the country’s future.

Mr. Katemi Patrick, Chairman of the ARIMO Workers Union, emphasized, “No institution can move forward without valuing those who keep it running. A respected worker is the foundation of an institution’s success.”

Mr. Jasper Ringo, Lecturer in Urban Planning, reflected on the challenges of unchecked urbanization, “Unplanned settlements are tomorrow’s sorrows. Let us map out hope today.” His call to action resonates amid Tanzania’s rapid urban migration, where the pace of population movement has outstripped the speed of urban planning and land surveying—leading to a surge in informal and often unsafe settlements.

Ms. Fatuma Mgomba, ARIMO’s Administrative Officer, firmly stated, “Workers’ rights are not favors from leaders; they are birthrights—inalienable and non-negotiable.” She warned that when rights are denied, workers lose the motivation and confidence needed to contribute meaningfully to institutional and national development.

Meanwhile, Ms. Jackline Chengula, the Institute’s Accountant, spoke to a challenge that resonates with many public and private sector employees, “Inflation does not recognize paychecks. Employers must ensure that salaries uplift lives—especially for low-income earners.”

A Poem of Hope

The voices of ARIMO workers speak not only for themselves but for countless Tanzanian workers in both public and private institutions. They do not seek sympathy—they seek fairness. They do not beg—they advocate. And as the nation prepares for a pivotal election, their dreams take the shape of a national vision.

They long to see leaders elected who embody a just, accountable, and development-driven Tanzania. As Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.” When leadership is exercised with humility and honor—attuned to the needs of citizens, workers included—then that leadership becomes a sacred duty.

A Call to the Nation

On this May Day, let us recognize this truth: Our sweat builds the nation. Our voices chart the way.

Development built on the labor of the people must respect their dignity, value their work, and protect their rights.

And so, the workers of ARIMO proclaim:

“With well-planned land, the nation rises.

With respected workers, the economy flourishes.

With ethical leadership, hope blossoms like flowers after the rain”.