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Unplanned residential development...
2006-12-20 09:39:44
By Emmanuel Chacha, Mwanza
The recent flooding crisis in Mwanza Region and other parts of the country was made worse by the rise of unplanned settlement in the recent years, Prime Minister Edward Lowassa has said.
He called for town and city planning regulations adherence to avert such calamities in the future, where thousands of houses and other properties were washed away by the raging waters.
”Many areas were affected by floods due unplanned nature of residential development,” he said calling upon the people who live near water basins and other areas prone to flooding to vacate.
”I urge villagers in rural areas not to build houses in flood prone sites,” he said.
Lowassa promised those affected by the flood that the state was going to assist them but warned those distributing the aid to the victims not to misuse it.
The Premier thanked the wananchi for accommodating floods victims.
”We should sustain the spirit of brotherhood more so in difficult times,” he said.
Lowassa said the government was going to construct Mwanza-Igombe road, which was closed after one of its major bridges was swept away by the floods.
He also promised the government was going to improve Mwanza Airport which was badly damaged by the flloding.
”We will improve it to meet international standards effectively from this financial year,” he promised.
According to Mwanza Regional Commissioner Dr. James Msekela over 2,395 people in Misungwi, Ilemela, Nyamagana and Magu districts were left homeless after floods swept their houses this month.
He added that 465 houses and 4,800 acres of various food and cash crops were swept away by the floods .
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