ZANZIBAR NATIONAL HOUSING CORPORATION!

Z`bar to establish its Housing Corporation

By Mwinyi Sadallah

14th October 2012

Zanzibar government has announced a plan to establish National Housing Corporation in a bid to have a long term solution to housing problems in the isles. The plan was revealed on Friday afternoon by the Deputy Minister for Lands, Human Settlements, Water and Energy Haji Mwadini Makame in the House of Representatives when responding to a question from Micheweni representative, Subeit Khamis Faki, who wanted to know the government plan to provide quality housing to its people.
Makame said the government had decided to establish Housing Corporation that would be responsible to look after public houses as well as their maintenance. He said he was aware that the state owned houses in Unguja and Pemba were in bad state to the extent that some of them could endanger the lives of their occupants. Deputy Minister Makame mentioned the houses that are in bad shape are located in areas such as Machomanne, Kengeja and Vitongoji in Pemba Island. In Unguja they can be found in Gamba and Bambi areas. On his part the minister for Lands Ramadhan Abdalla Shaaban said unknown persons have stolen various items from the isles government houses. He gave an example of house Number 11 at Michezani area where thieves have stolen doors and windows even before completion of their construction. He said it was high time for Zanzibar to have its own Housing Corporation, considering that the isles population has increased over the years. From early 1960s to early 1970 First Zanzibar President constructed apartment blocks at Michenzani area for the purpose of providing shelter to Zanzibaris. The place is mostly known for a complex of apartment blocks constructed from large, prefabricated concrete slabs called Plattenbauten with the aid of East Germany. The Michenzani apartment blocks used to be the pride of the revolutionary government of Zanzibar however since virtually no maintenance has been made after the 1970s, the buildings are now in a bad state. Lack of water pressure makes water services unavailable from the second floors up. As a result many residents have installed their own water pumps, which are not in keeping with the original style of the buildings. If the government's promise of establishing the housing corporation is fulfilled it will be an important milestone for the housing industry in the Isles. Tanzania Mainland on its part established its housing corporationby Act of Parliament No.45 of 1962. NHC is under the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development.

SOURCE: GUARDIAN ON SUNDAY