Construction works on housing project set to accommodate prison wardens in Tanzania is on track. This is according to the Ministry of Defence and National Service
Project supervisor Bri-Gen Charles Mbuge affirmed the reports to the minister of Defence and National Service, Dr Hussein Mwinyi, during his tour to the construction site in Ukonga, Dar es Salaam.
“The project is progressing well, currently 60% of the work is complete and is expected to be completed as planned by the government,” said Charles Mbuge.
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Warden houses
The housing project started two years ago and was being undertaken by the Tanzania Building Agency (TBA) in collaboration with the Prisons Department. However, in March this year President John Magufuli directed Tanzania People’s Defence force (TPDF) to take over the project after TBA had failed to complete it on time.
The order came after the president made a surprise visit to the construction site and found out that the both the Tanzania Building Agency and the Prisons Department have been so lax in making sure that the project was completed.
TBA and Prisons Department have failed to implement the housing project for prisons officers on time despite the release of the fund by the government thus will not partake the works to allow the army to start work without delay,” said the President
The project involves the construction of a 12-four storey building to house prison wardens and is now implemented by the National Service. According to auditor General Edward Ouko, staff housing at prisons where some warders live are filthy dilapidated mud and rusting mabati huts. ‘Sanitation’ is primitive to nonexistent. He noted that he Prisons department needs at least 20,000 new housing units
“Lack of proper housing also affects officers’ family life as most said they don’t live with their families on prison grounds due to lack of decent accommodation,” said Ouko.
