BY MATHAYO LAIZER
The National Housing Corporation (NHC) is set to boost its revenue to more than Sh 4.5 billion annually from the planned redevelopment of central Arusha. It currently earns Sh 265.8 million only from the prime property, an official told The Arusha News.
The project, which covers Swahili Street, Sokoine and Azimio areas, will see old buildings demolished and replaced with modern commercial and residential buildings in the next 18 months, giving the city also a magnificent facelift.
The affected Plots are No. 6/B, 7/B, 8/B,9/B, 10/B.
“This is a strategic investment to ensure optimal use of prime urban land while increasing economic returns and improving service delivery,” said Public Relations and Information Manager, Muungano Saguya.
Valued at approximately Sh 24.5 billion, the redevelopment also aims to replace the existing old structures, many of them over 70 years old, to give room for 300 tenants, 200 business spaces and ample open areas, Mr Saguya explained.
However, critics of the project blame NHC for giving the current tenants very short notice, three months only to vacate, which they say makes the project lack a human face. But NHC maintained that increased revenue would strengthen its capacity to invest further in housing, commensurate with changing times.
Also NHC said earlier that current tenants would be given priority in new applications for accommodation, adding a caveat though, “subject to terms and conditions,” which some saw as a clear ejection pathway. But NHC holds firmly that many of the buildings no longer meet both commercial and residential standards in an iconic city such as Arusha.
Also, the redevelopment aligns with national efforts to upgrade infrastructure ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) championships that Tanzania will co-host with Kenya and Uganda.
