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Chiligati stresses decent housing for low-income earners
2008-03-10 09:00:58
By Simon Mhina
Plans are under way to pass a new law that will enable tenants to buy flats in condominiums and eventually receive title deeds for the same.
Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development John Chiligati said this over the weekend at a meeting with employees of the National Housing Corporation in Dar es Salaam.
Chiligati said the bill endeavoured to ensure that each person earned from the land they own no matter how small it may be.
``Under the new bill, a person will not need to build a big house to acquire a title deed. A house with six rooms might enable one to acquire a title deed,`` said Chiligati.
He said it was possible for a house with six rooms and six tenants to have six title deeds each with one room.
``We want to reduce the prevailing bureaucracy to enable every individual gain from their land and building. The first step would be giving them due recognition,`` said Chiligati.
According to Chiligati, the practice had proved a success in a number of countries where applicable.
The minister further said that the government felt the need to lay due stress on housing, adding ``Human dignity can never prevail without proper housing.``
``The government has told you (NHC) to operate commercially. However, you should never forget that you have a duty to serve low-income earners,`` said Chiligati.
He stressed that housing was not a luxury, calling on the company to work on projects for both the well-to-do and low-income earners.
``NHC is still an emancipator of low-income earners; no wonder the government does not buy the idea to privatize it. I call upon the board to find ways to present to me strategies which will improve customer service to low-income earners, especially loans for low-cost housing,`` said Chiligati.
He stressed that the government was planning to table another bill that would enable people to acquire soft loans to enable employees build houses.
``Under the bill, an employee will be able to take a loan and pay it in instalments in 10 to 20 years,`` he clarified.
He said the government took the housing issue seriously, adding, ``We want people to build houses to maintain their families. A strong family means a strong nation.``
Briefing the minister earlier, NHC Director General Marteen Madekwe said shortage of housing had resulted in complaints and allegations of corruption, adding however that most allegations were baseless.
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