THE National Housing Corporation (NHC) has unveiled plans to designate Urafiki area in Ubungo District, Dar es Salaam Region, as its new region to improve efficiency and stimulate development.

This comes after the state-owned real estate entity acquired the long defunct Urafiki Textiles Limited and its sprawling assets, including residential flats and commercial units at 3bn/- last month.

Hamad Abdallah, NHC director general, disclosed this in Dar es Salaam on Thursday when briefing the members of NHC board of directors who toured different projects to understand challenges and set the way forward.

He said that the decision to designate Urafiki as one of its regions further aims to improve coordination of projects and services to clients at Urafiki area.

“Urafiki is one of the fastest growing areas in Dar es Salaam, Establishment of a new region here will increase effective supervision of our projects,” he said.

Abdallah said that the move also aims to bring positive changes in the lives of Urafiki dwellers and strengthen management and supervision, adding that NHC targets to ensure sustainable development and community welfare.

NHC Real Estate Manager Elias Msese  said that Urafiki area has a total of 399 housing units and encompasses six commercial buildings, 32 residential buildings, one primary school, 32 retail shops,31warehouses,10 vehicle parking spaces, four  garages, one filling station, three car wash bays and one industrial park.

He said currently, NHC collects 1bn/- in rent every month, adding that the amount will significantly increase when further modifications and rehabilitation projects are implemented in the area.

NHC board chairperson Dr Sophia Kongela commended the corporation for development achieved after the handing over process and called on the management to fast-track the development of the area.

The current NHC regions are Upanga, Kinondoni, Ilala and Temeke in Dar es Salaam and Mwanza-Geita-Simiyu, Mtwara, Tabora and Mbeya-Njombe.

On May 24 this year, NHC Public Relations Manager Muungano Saguya announced the acquisition of Urafiki area during a visit to inspect the area.

He expressed his optimism about the acquisition, emphasizing that it was expected to improve infrastructure, boost the local economy and enhance the city's landscape.

“We have purchased the area which spans over 50 acres through an open auction," Saguya stated. "With this new ownership, the National Housing Corporation is committed to improving this area in line with our goals of providing modern and high-quality housing for citizens.”