Anna Tibaijuka

The government has warned Kigamboni residents who have started building residential houses in the area to stop immediately so as to pave the way for a new city project to be constructed in the area.

The earmarked 11.6trn/- project will to commence this financial year and come to completion in 2032.

Lands, Housing and Human Settlement Development minister,Prof Anna Tibaijuka gave the warning at the House yesterday when tabling her budget estimates for the financial year 2012/2013 where he requested total of 101.731bn/- in expenditure.

The Kigamboni New City master plan is designed to provide residential, commercial, business, industrial, educational and recreational facilities in Dar es Salaam.

The first purpose of the city is to create well-organised connection between the present urban centre and the new city.

The other purpose is to build future-oriented new model city with an ICT base and excellent living environment.

The third purpose is to develop urban economic competitiveness by availing new opportunities in advanced industry fields.

Through the Kigamboni New City Project, Tanzania can reinforce a leading position in the area of business in African continent.

Presenting the budget, Prof Tibaijuka told the House that her ministry in collaboration with the Temeke Municipality has completed major preparations for implementation of the grand project.

Prof Tibaijuka said her ministry will monitor the establishment of an agent, endorse the plan and start implementation of the establishment of the new city.

“We are going to assess all properties in areas of infrastructure, social communities, resettlement area, and compensate all properties that have been assessed,” the minister said.

She said the project will comprise three phases. The first will be between 2012 and 2022, second between 2022 and 2027 and last between 2027 and 2032.

“My ministry will continue to search for more funds to develop the planned area through municipal bonds,” she said revealing that the total cost of the project will be 11.6trn/-.

The minister pleaded with the House that regardless of the fact that in her 2012/13 budget 60bn/- has been set aside for the project that was only ten (10) percent of the entire cost for this year (2012/13).

“We are going to use up to date sources to secure 605bn/- out of the budget for the implementation of the project without delay.

“We are going to allow local and foreign investors to start building houses which will be used as residences for people currently residing in the area,” she said, adding however that if possible all the 82,000 Kigamboni residents will remain where they are. The new city will be capable of accommodating 400,000 residents.

“There is no need for the residents to move out but their residences will be rebuilt and be modernised to meet the required standards,” she said.

Prof Tibaijuka said further that the government has decided to establish a new agent by the name of Kigamboni Development Agency (KDA) to monitor the project.

For its part, the Parliamentary Committee for Lands, Natural Resources and Environment advised the government to start implementing the new city project immediately.