Controversy surrounds Jangwani plot

[BAK]

Controversy surrounds Jangwani plot
ABDULWAKIL SAIBOKO
Daily News; Saturday,January 10, 2009 @20:20​

Controversy surrounds the leasing of a plot belonging to Jangwani Secondary school at Jangwani area, to a businessman as the regional and central government authorities are disputing the leasing. The ‘Sunday News’ has established that the area, which is adjacent to the school along Morogoro road, has been turned into a car showroom.

The authorities are giving contradicting explanations on the matter. According to the school’s headmistress, Ms Nancy Mabula, the school administration and the school board decided to lease the plot which was underutilized for over 80 years because it was a wetland.

“All procedures were followed and the school board formed a committee which later got an interested company (One Per cent Company) to use the place for eight years,” she said. Ms Mabula explained that the school entered into a contract with the company in which the tenant would lease the area for eight years and use it in conducting any business of his interest provided that he would not construct a permanent structure on the area.

Other conditions were that the tenant would also strengthen the school’s security wall and construct a borehole, according to the headmistress. However, when contacted, the Dar es Salaam Regional Education Officer, Mr Bernard Makali, said that he was not aware of the matter, though he acknowledged that the area belonged to Jangwani Secondary school.

“What I know is that the Director of Ilala Municipality has suspended the construction of any structure on the area. But I was shocked yesterday (Friday) learning that the construction is over and the place has been turned into a car showroom,” he said. He said that he was yet to get further details on the matter. He promised to give more details once he communicated with the school’s administration and other relevant authorities.

However, the Deputy Minister for Education and Vocational Training, Ms Mwantumu Mahiza said she was neither aware of the project nor was she aware of the actual owner of the area. “The only thing I know is that the Ilala Municipality had halted the construction process which was taking place at the area. The Dar es Salaam Mayor or the Director of Ilala Municipality will be able to give precise answers on the matter,” she said.

The Ilala Municipal Director, Mr Iddi Nyundo said that the company had defied the stop order and that procedures were underway to take the matter to court. But the Chairman of School Board, Dr Faustine Mukyanuzi said that action by the Ilala Municipality to halt the construction were unjustified.

“I wonder why the Ilala Municipality reached such decision and they have failed to give reasons for their decision,” he said. According to him, the Board has written several letters to the Municipal Director but there were no feedback, adding that even when they consulted the Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner, Mr Abbas Kandoro, he was in favour of the Municipality although he failed to defend his case.

“It is so unfortunate that we are having these kinds of leaders who think they can make decisions anyhow. We have briefed the Minister of Education and Vocational Training, Prof Jumanne Maghembe and has given us greenlight,” he said. Dr Mukyanuzi said he would take further steps including seeking audience with higher authorities to report what he termed as the ‘misuse of public offices’ by the municipal leaders. 'Sunday News' visited the plot and found eight vehicles of different makes parked there.

 

[Lole Gwakisa]

I think we are on the Ufisadi Street here!