We destroy our History and uniqueness to erect skyscrapers. As if tourists are coming to Tanzania to look at skyscrapers. Dar needs to be cleaned up, old historic buildings should be renovated not destroyed. People who own buildings on certain streets in the city should be made to make sure their buildings are painted and clean otherwise they should get fined, Signs are Billboards need to follow guidelines in terms of size and location.... I mean there are things that can be done that do not require a great deal of money to improve the look of Dar but nobody bothers. When are we going to get leaders with vision.
Real estate developers erasing Dar`s history
IN THE NAME OF DEVELOPMENT: These two buildings on adjacent plots to the famous Salamander Building along Samora Avenue are also in line for demolition anytime soon. The farther building currently houses the popular Alcove Restaurant).
THISDAY REPORTER
Dar es Salaam
MANY of Dar es Salaams ancient buildings with historical and architectural significance have been lined up for demolition to pave way for the construction of modern skyscrapers, it has been confirmed.
According to THISDAY findings, more than 10 such buildings, structures and sites in the city centre protected under national antiquities legislation are now under direct threat from real estate developers.
Scores of these buildings have already been pulled down to make way for modern structures as Dar es Salaam undergoes a huge metamorphosis into the quintessential concrete jungle.
Officials have confirmed that 107 other such buildings, structures and sites in historical towns like Mikindani in Mtwara region, Kilwa Kivinje in Lindi Region, Bagamoyo in Coast Region, and Pangani in Tanga Region are also in danger of being mowed down in the name of development.
The Antiquities Act No. 10 of 1964 and Amendment Act No. 22 of 1979 both provide for the preservation and protection of sites and objects of national, archaeological, historical and cultural interest.
According to the 1964 law, a building, site or structure is declared a conservation area when it is a valuable national heritage, contains a homogeneous group of monuments, or has valuable national heritage for its historical, architectural, social or cultural value.
However, officials say that in disregard of these laws, the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Human Settlements through its agency � the National Housing Corporation (NHC) - has embarked on the demolition of historical structures fitting these descriptions.
THISDAY investigations have established historical buildings which have either already been demolished or are in line for demolition within the city centre environs as including plot number 1666/75 along Indira Gandhi Street (currently housing Al-Saif Stationery), plot number 1164/18 at the junction of Jamhuri and Mrima Streets (currently occupied by Masasi Signwriters and Standard Electronics) and plot number 923/19 along Jamhuri Street (now with Kusini shop).
Also plot numbers 1169/19 (with the Gadhri Nivas building) and 1167/19 (currently housing the Jaraj building) both along Jamhuri Street, plot number 1289/22 also along Jamhuri Street (with the Kanti building � 1936), and plot numbers 322/32 (currently housing Shivacom), 567/48 (with the New Acacia - 1937 building), 646/32(housing the famous Alcove Restaurant), all along Samora Avenue.
Exactly a month ago (November 18), THISDAY sent the then permanent secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, Ms Blandina Nyoni written questions on the issue. However, there has been no response from the ministry so far.
The Department of National Antiquities that deals with the protection and conservation of historical buildings, sites and structures operates under the ministry.
One of the more famous buildings already razed down was the MC George building - popularly known as Salamander Building - at plot number 2199/6 at the junction of Samora Avenue and Mkwepu Street in downtown Dar es Salaam.
The 107-year old Salamander Building, built way back in 1901, was reduced to debris last month after the plot was reportedly acquired by controversial local businessman Yusuf Manji to be developed into a high-rise building.
Demolition of the Salamander Building amounts to abusing the national antiquities laws which provide for conservation of such buildings, a senior government official who preferred anonymity told THISDAY over the weekend.
That building was a bank of the countrys history, being the first building to accommodate Tanzanias first police officers mess and also the first building to house the countrys first German pharmaceutical company. But now that history has gone, the official added.
He fumed that with its history stretching over a century, the Salamander Building should not only have been protected from demolition, but even from being defaced.
A strong source in the countrys tourism industry noted that tourists visiting the country are not coming to view skyscrapers which they have left back home, but surely they would like to admire Tanzanias own historical buildings, structures and sites.
The source also pointed out that world capitals like London, New York, Paris, Stockholm and Moscow also have protected historical structures.
In Washington DC, nobody is allowed to put up a structure which is taller than the Congress, the source pointed out, adding: Does it mean Americans do not have the money to build high-rise buildings in their own capital?
ThisDay