Residents demolish houses on volition

The notorious demolition campaign in Dar es Salaam has taken a popular new twist as residents of Mikocheni ‘B’ living close to Mlalakuwa water source consulted the National Environmental Management Council (NEMC) for approval to demolish their 600 houses on their own volition within the government-set span.

This is the first time the potential victims of the infamous demolition exercise would ask for co-operation from the would-be destroyers of their homes, ever since the start of the countrywide campaign more than a month ago.

 

The residents who had encroached in the unauthorized area, given a law banning constructions of immovable objects within 60-metre radius of water sources, have appealed for self-demolition to avoid vandalism and theft of their properties typical of the occurrences when the government is involved in the demolition process.The environmentalists had earlier marked at least 600 houses with the red X, implying they would be razed to the ground come Tuesday following the second round of the nationwide campaign after the New Year break .

 

However, the chairperson for Mikocheni ‘B’ street, Sixberth Thomas told journalists yesterday that: “the biggest outcry to the government is re-locating us. We are currently demolishing our houses but also constructing temporary shelters because we have nowhere to go.”

 

Some residents said they have been living in the high-risk area since 1980, but it was not until mid November when demolition exercise started in Kinondoni Municipality, that they were informed they had encroached in the space.

 

They alleged that water streams at issue emerged in less than 30 years ago at the time when they had already built and stayed at the area, as a result of water waste from the new facilities including factories and other institutions built during the period.

 

“There were no signs of water streams when we came here initially,” said Thomas.

 

Pentecostal Church of God (PCG) Reverend, John Mwafubo whose house of worship was also involved in the axing exercise, said “we do not challenge the government in any way. What we request is simple consideration given that we are the first group to unconditionally obey the law since the commencement of the demolition exercise.”

 

Commending the residents for the move, NEMC legal officer Heche Suguti confirmed the start of voluntary demolition exercise and promised to offer cooperation to the obedient citizens.

 

“They called us here to ocate the real boundaries of  Mlalakuwa water sources,” he said but insisted that the demolition exercise would go on as planned next week.

 

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN