MINISTER for Works Innocent Bashungwa has urged tenants residing in houses and buildings owned by the Tanzania Building Agency (TBA) to pay rent on time for the agency to build new buildings improve services and ensure sustainability.

Bashungwa issued this directive yesterday during the inauguration of the Phase Two B residential building for public servants at Magomeni area in Kinondoni Municipality, Dar es Salaam.

"The government will continue its efforts to construct decent housing for civil servants, but it is the duty of tenants who stay in those houses to pay rent on time. Paying rent gives us the ability to enhance the quality of housing services," emphasized Bashungwa.

He directed TBA to oversee the collection of debts from defaulters by their contractual agreements so that these taxes can complete the construction of the third and fourth buildings (Block C and D) currently underway in the Magomeni area, where progress has reached 15 percent.

The minister mentioned that the government has amended TBA laws to facilitate partnerships with the private sector, aiming to involve private companies and financial institutions in property development to cater to the housing needs of public servants.

Bashungwa highlighted that the construction of the Phase Two B residential building at Magomeni Kota, costing 5.6bn/- is part of the implementation of the 2020-2025 CCM election manifesto.

He commended TBA for efficient land use and well-planned modern building designs in the 32,000-acre Magomeni area, previously inhabited by over 645 residents, where 9 acres have been utilized to accommodate these residents.

Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner Albert Chalamila stressed the need for comprehensive urban planning strategies involving collaboration with government agencies and the private sector to position the region among Africa's leading cities by 2030.

Providing project details, TBA's Chief Executive Officer, Daud Kondoro, explained that all innovative, construction, and management tasks in the project were executed by TBA's own experts, leveraging positive economic growth changes, urban planning, construction technology, communications, and infrastructure.

Kondoro highlighted that the building has been equipped with a modern 'Payless' system, where failure to pay rent taxes results in immediate disconnection of electricity and water services, which are reinstated promptly upon payment.