Govt commits to address housing shortage

DAR ES SALAAM: MINISTER for Works, Mr Innocent Bashungwa on Monday expressed the government’s commitment to develop potential areas by building modern houses to address the shortage, saying the current demand stands at 3,000,000 houses.

The Minister said the demand of modern and quality houses is increasing at a rate of approximately 390,000 houses annually.

Mr Bashungwa was speaking during the inauguration of the Tanzania Building Agency (TBA) seven storey building at Magomeni Kota in the city.

According to TBA, upon its completion, the agency will spend a total of 5.7bn/-.

Mr Bashungwa said the government recognizes the importance of good and affordable housing to its citizens and that it is doing everything in its power to ensure there is enough buildings to address the shortage.

He said the construction is in line with the implementation of the ruling party-CCM manifesto, which emphasizes on improving citizens’ residential areas.

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“The government recognizes the importance of good and affordable housing to its citizens and will continue working on it to meet the growing deficit,” the minister underlined.

The CCM 2020–25 election manifesto instructed the government to create a friendly climate to ensure citizens across the country live in modern homes.

Mr Bashungwa also reminded TBA to continue with a special programme to re-develop all special areas by renovating and building new houses for citizens.

He said TBA needs to develop all areas which have already been returned to the central government from the Ministry of State in the President’s Office, Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG) throughout the country to comply with the CCM’s election manifesto.

Article 55(h) of 2020-2025 CCM manifesto directs the areas returned to the central government under the TBA from PO-RALG to be developed to accommodate many families.

He applauded TBA for considering quality and observing standards in construction. “TBA should look on the best way to get both local and foreign investors to develop housing in those areas countrywide to address the shortage of affordable and modern houses,” he noted.

In a related development, Mr Bashungwa expressed the government’s commitment to ensure Dar es Salaam remains the best city for business and investment by transforming various infrastructure in the city.