Flood victims guard their belongings at a classroom at Hananasif Primary School in Dar es Salaam yesterday. The school has been converted into a temporary camp for flood victims. PHOTO | FIDELIS FELIX

By Mkinga Mkinga
The Citizen Reporter

Dar es Salaam. The government will immediately relocate 2,800 flood victims to new homes in the outskirts of the city, it has been confirmed.Reports yesterday said some 200 acres of land have been secured ready to settle families formerly residing in the areas prone to flooding.

In total, more than 4,500 people were displaced and a majority of them would require assistance to resettle following flooding that has been billed as the worst to hit Dar es Salaam in recent history.President Jakaya Kikwete who visited the victims at temporary camps on Thursday confirmed the new development soon after with a posting on his Facebook page.

The Head of State also twitted: “Dar es Salaam regional administration has already secured about 200 acres of land enough for 2,800 plots to settle those whose homes were destroyed by the floods.”

Yesterday the Kinondoni District commissioner, Mr Jordan Rugimbana, told The Citizen on Saturday that it was indeed true that land has been secured for the purpose. He said the area has been identified in Mbopo, close to Madale in Kinondoni Municipality. Regional Commissioner Said Meck Sadick was expected to shed more light on the relocation modalities.

“Every district has been asked to find descent areas to accommodate all those living in the valleys and provide them with permanent residential areas,” Mr Rugimbana said.

He said legal procedure would be followed but hinted that the Treasury would have to get prepared for compensation since the demarcated area was previously owned by people who used it for farming. He said people who would be considered include those living in Jangwani, Chamazi and Tabata Matumbi valleys.

Reached for comment yesterday, Finance and Economic Affairs minister Mustafa Mkulo said the government was prepared financially to respond to the needs of the victims.

“We normally don’t set a specific amount of money for disasters as its unexpected… but whenever they occur, we normally give them a special attention and I can assure you that if there is anything in the form of compensation it will be done immediately,” Mr Mkulo said.

The Finance minister said his ministry would act responsibly on the order the President made when he visited flood victims at Jangwani and Mchikichini, along Msimbazi and Jangwani valleys.Contacted yesterday for comments over a crisis meeting with the Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda on Thursday, permanent secretary Peniel Lyimo referred all questions to the regional commissioner.