THE government has already paid 50bn/- to people whose houses continue to be demolished to allow the improvement project of modern infrastructures at the Msimbazi River Valley in Dar es Salaam.

Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner, Albert Chalamila disclosed this yesterday in the city when speaking to journalists about the demolition.

According to Chalamila, the on-going demolition of all residents in the valley have already been paid compensation and many have moved to other locations.

He said that there is no one complaining about the compensation, noting that the government wants to start the project of putting modern infrastructure including tourist attractions—hotels.

Chalamila asked all the citizens who were compensated to ensure that they go to buy and build in areas that are not in the valleys where they cannot be invaded by water and cause harassment to them.

“Use your compensation money to build in safe areas that are free from floods and we have told the district commissioners to guide you so that you get plots that are free of conflicts and are not part of floods,” RC urged.

The RC also warned other citizens who still live in the water-prone areas to live with great caution as heavy rains are still coming.

“The forecasting authorities have estimated that such rains can go on for three years, so it is possible that this year you will not suffer any harm, but next year you will suffer thus, it is important to take precautions,” he added.

RC Chalamila cited the damaged roads such as Masaki, Mikocheni, Mwenge, and Millennium Tower roads from Rose Garden village and assured people that they would be repaired as soon as the rains ended.

“There are roads that will be repaired and some will undergo small maintenance because they are not as damaged as Chole Road. Let me assure you that construction will start as soon as the rains stop,” he said. The RC further said that from April 19th, the Tanzania Rural and Urban Roads Agency (TARURA and the Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROAD) will visit Ilala District in Ukonga, Ilala and Segerea constituencies.

“We will look at the roads that can be built now as the rains continue to fall so that citizens can find ways to pass and prevent flooding in people’s homes,” said Chalamila.