DEMOLITION of houses along Msimbazi Valley in Ilala municipality in Dar es Salaam resumes today, the National Environment Management Council (NEMC) announced on Wednesday.
Speaking to reporters in Dar es Salaam, NEMC Director General, Mr Bonaventure Baya, said the exercise will be carried out in areas which are not affected by a court order issued on Tuesday.
On Tuesday, the Land Division of the High Court suspended the demolition of buildings in valleys and other unsuitable areas in three wards of Kinondoni district but allowed the government to continue with the operation in other areas.
“We’ll resume the exercise of demolishing houses in flood-prone areas tomorrow (today). The exercise will be carried out in areas that are are not affected by the court order,” said the NEMC boss.Mr Baya pointed out that apart from Msimbazi valley, the exercise will be carried out in Mpiji, Kizinga and Mlalakuwa valleys in the city. “The demolition is aimed at improving the city’s environment and its outlook.
The exercise will be implemented in phases,” he observed. Mr Baya noted that the exercise will be extended to other regions after Dar es Salaam. He attributed the environment degradation to overpopulation and high demand of people on land resource in urban areas.
Mr Baya said it was vital to develop towns while improving open spaces and valleys for environment protection. NEMC Director General said NEMC will embark on a long term scheme to turn the valleys into recreational places, saying the project will be carried out jointly by Ministry of Lands, Housing and Human Settlements.
As for DART Project in Msimbazi valley, he said the environment act gives the green light for any project with national interest to be carried out in valleys. But he said the permit is given after environmental assessment and that DART was given an environment permit by NEMC after the assessment.
/Daily News.
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