Magomeni housing project nears completion

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Tanzania Building Agency (TBA) Advisory Board has expressed satisfaction with the progress of the 11bn/- government housing project at Magomeni Kota in Dar es Salaam, saying construction remains on schedule for completion by October this year.

Board Chairman Laurean Ndumbaro expressed optimism on the project recently after concluding a two-day board meeting with an inspection of various TBA projects in the city, including the Magomeni redevelopment project, where old low-density houses are being replaced with modern apartment blocks for public servants.

“Our expectation is that by October this year the project will have been completed, enabling Tanzanians, particularly public servants in need of housing, to start benefiting from these apartments,” Prof Ndumbaro said.

The Magomeni Kota project covers about 32 hectares.

TBA Director of Projects, Said Rajab Mndeme, said the area previously had 644 lowdensity houses occupied by residents before the government embarked on the redevelopment programme.

He said the current phase involves construction of five apartment blocks with capacity to accommodate 80 families.

“So far, two buildings with capacity to house 32 families have been completed and are already occupied by public servants,” Mr Mndeme said.

He added that two more buildings, also designed to accommodate 32 families, are in the final stages of construction and are expected to be completed by October this year.

The fifth building, which will accommodate 16 families, is scheduled to begin construction during the current financial year.

“Project implementation is progressing well, and we expect public servants to start occupying the two buildings under construction by October this year,” he said.

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According to TBA officials, the five buildings will occupy about 11,000 square metres of the project’s total 28,000 square metres, while the remaining 17,000 square metres has been earmarked for private sector investment.

“We are inviting private investors to partner with TBA in developing the remaining area, which offers significant investment opportunities,” Mr Mndeme said.

Prof Ndumbaro said the board was impressed by the quality of work and adherence to construction timelines, noting that the Magomeni project forms part of the government’s efforts to address the housing shortage for public servants in urban areas.

The redevelopment of Magomeni Kota is among TBA’s flagship projects aimed at providing affordable, decent housing while maximising the value of government land.

Authorities say the model, which combines public housing with private sector investment, will be replicated in other parts of the country.

With two apartment blocks already occupied and two more nearing completion, TBA officials say the project will significantly ease pressure on government housing in Dar es Salaam once all five buildings are completed.