Africa-Press – Tanzania. PRESIDENT Hussein Mwinyi has announced the government’s ambitious plan to improve the isles housing system, aiming to provide standard and affordable housing for all, including public servants.
Dr Mwinyi said that his intention is to see all people in the Isles live in better homes.
“The government’s overall objective is to ensure that every citizen in the isles has access to high-quality homes, either for purchase or rent, at an affordable price,” President Mwinyi said during the inauguration of 72 new houses constructed by the Zanzibar Housing Corporation (ZHC) at Mombasa area in Unguja.
The colourful event was among the activities to mark the 61st anniversary of the Zanzibar Revolution, climaxing on January 12 this year in Pemba, where national leaders led by President Samia Suluhu Hassan are expected to gather at Gombani Stadium for the annual celebration.
He said that currently, the government’s focus is to build modern houses in different areas of Zanzibar by considering the master plan. Mwinyi also argued that almost all residential buildings constructed in 1960/1970s are now outdated with dilapidated water and sewerage systems.
The President said that the government is commitment to replacing the current old buildings at Michenzani, Kilimani and other areas in villages of Unguja and Pemba, with new blocks that offer a high quality of life.
Dr Mwinyi said that all the 72 new houses built by ZHC at Mombasa area have been sold at 130m/- each and that it means that there is high demand for better houses in Zanzibar, “We have to build more.
Some housing projects are already underway including Chumbuni which will construct 3,000 houses and Kikwajuni 500 houses.”
Meanwhile, President Mwinyi has stressed on the importance of maintaining other infrastructure constructed by the government including modern school and health buildings, new roads and others.
“I direct the Ministry of Land and Housing to find ways of making maintenance including making cleanliness compulsory by introducing regulations or a law.”
He instructed the Ministry of Lands and Housing to develop a special legal maintenance plan for the houses being constructed to ensure maintenance becomes mandatory rather than optional.
Dr Mwinyi advised owners of the houses to establish special maintenance committees with each owner becoming responsible for the cleanliness of their property.
The President emphasised that residents must be willing to vacate areas earmarked for housing projects, with the government compensating them with better homes instead of monetary payments.
He praised officials from the Ministry of Lands and Housing and ZHC for their creativity and the construction of the modern houses, as well as Simba Developers Company for building quality homes.
Dr Mwinyi expressed his satisfaction with the ministry’s performance and the significant achievements in implementing housing projects.
Minister for Lands and Housing Ms Rahma Kassim Ali said the Housing Corporation needs to be empowered through loans to further advance residential and commercial housing projects.
On her part, Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Ms Khadija Khamis Rajab, announced that all the 72 houses had already been purchased following the ministry’s establishment of a favourable payment plan for buyers.
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