Media Wire Express Correspondent
Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa has announced that several items recovered from the collapsed building in Kariakoo have been successfully returned to their rightful owners, including substantial sums of money.
Among the recovered assets were over 112.8 million Tanzanian shillings, 48,490 US dollars, 6,920 Kenyan shillings, and 631 Yuan. Some of the cash was discovered buried in sand, within safe boxes, and others were labeled with the owners’ names.
Mr. Majaliwa made this statement during a luncheon at the State House in Dar es Salaam, hosted by President Samia Suluhu Hassan to honor those involved in the search and rescue efforts following the building’s collapse. This event fulfilled a promise made by the President during her visit to the accident site in November of the previous year.
The Prime Minister elaborated on the rescue operations that took place after the building’s collapse on November 16, 2024. He stated that all survivors received medical treatment at no cost to them, and the government also covered burial expenses, including the transportation of deceased individuals’ bodies.
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Additionally, he mentioned that the government continues to recover assets and funds belonging to business owners affected by the disaster. An estimated 2,044 bales and 10,051 bags of clothing, weighing approximately 850 tonnes, were retrieved from the collapsed structure, despite its weight capacity being only 250 tonnes.
The building collapse resulted in the tragic loss of 31 lives and left 71 individuals injured, causing widespread shock and sorrow across the nation. “A sense of panic overwhelmed citizens, and business activities came to a standstill. The incident profoundly affected Kariakoo and Dar es Salaam, halting all economic activities,” Mr. Majaliwa remarked.
He noted that the government collaborated with various stakeholders, including the private sector, civil society organizations, religious institutions, and the Kariakoo business community, to implement measures addressing rescue operations. These included promoting safety regulations, ensuring access to rescue resources and equipment, and providing health and psychological support services to victims and rescuers.
Moreover, a special committee was established to investigate the building’s collapse and inspect other structures in the Kariakoo area. The committee has completed its work, and a report is ready for presentation.
During the event, Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner Albert Chalamila highlighted lessons learned from a recent Energy Summit held in the city. He noted that cleanliness in Dar es Salaam had improved significantly as a result of the summit’s initiatives. “The government has developed strategies to maintain the city’s cleanliness and enhance its appeal as a destination both within Tanzania and beyond,” Mr. Chalamila stated.
He also addressed challenges faced during the summit regarding hotel accommodations, announcing plans to form a special committee next week to address this issue by assessing dilapidated buildings in the city and collaborating with stakeholders to improve these structures for investment purposes.
Additionally, he revealed plans to enhance tourist attractions such as Coco Beach and outlined a new investment initiative aimed at improving access for international visitors. “A special plan for developing a conference park, which will include hotels and beachfront spaces, is already in place in Kigamboni, with plans to allocate at least 200 hectares for this purpose,” he said.
Mr. Chalamila emphasized that these efforts are designed to ensure Dar es Salaam is well-prepared to host large international conferences. He also mentioned ongoing projects for road improvements funded by the President to further enhance the city’s infrastructure.
