MSIMBAZI RIVER DEVELOPMENT PROJECT ON COURSE AS HOUSE DEMOLITION SET TO KICK-OFF

Plans are underway towards for the implementation of Msimbazi River Development Project as demolition of houses exercise is scheduled to begin at Msimbazi Valley in Dar es Salaam later this week.

The proposed project worth US$260 million will involves re-contouring the river and floodplain to improve the flow capacity and allow for floodwater retention.

Meanwhile, it also entails construction of an elevated bridge, demolition of the existing bus rapid transit (BRT) depot and construction of a new one at Ubungo, as well as the setting up of a city park.

According to Tanzania Rural and Urban Roads Agency (Tarura) public relations officer (Msimbazi Project Development) Raphael Kilapilo, the clearing of a section of the project has started last week Friday with at least 2,155 houses and other structures earmarked for demolition.

Mr. Kilapilo said that he wish to made it clear that we would only demolish houses whose owners has been compensated. He also said that relocation agreement has already been signed and those affected will vacate their houses voluntarily.

It has been reported that a total of 2592 household has been affected by the project and are listed for compensation. Out of those numbers 2392 has been evaluated and 2155 has been compensated.

Mr. Kilapilo also noted that those houses that has been compensated are expected to demolish their houses so that they can salvage construction materials for building new houses.

Msimbazi River Development Project Co-Ordinator Humphrey Kanyenye said in February that they where at the final stage  of picking a contractor and consultant for the construction of the Jangwani flyover and its management.

The objectives of the project is to strengthen flooding resilience in the flood-prone Msimbazi are that will reduce interruption of traffic and BRT operation due to frequent flooding and cut the risk of flood damaged to the infrastructure and its surrounding area

SOURCE: The Citizen