Dar es Salaam. President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Wednesday announced that his administration will fully implement the recommendations of a committee currently formed to inspect the structural integrity of buildings in the Kariakoo area of ​​Dar es Salaam.

The President made the remarks during a visit to Kariakoo following the tragic collapse of a building on Saturday, November 16, which has so far claimed the lives of 20 people.

While in Brazil for the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Rio de Janeiro, President Suluhu ordered Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa to oversee the formation of a team tasked with thoroughly inspecting all buildings in Kariakoo to assess their structural conditions.

The President said the government’s priority is to ensure safety and compliance with building regulations in one of the busiest and most densely populated areas in Dar es Salaam.

“We will disclose the team’s findings and recommendations. We will not hesitate to follow the recommendation to demolish substandard buildings if that is the opinion of the committees,” she said, promising to follow the recommendations that will be given.

The call for a detailed investigation into the building’s collapse and subsequent structural safety comes after analysts raised concerns about the government’s past response to similar recommendations.

In 2013, she said two commissions had worked in the area and presented their recommendations, suggesting that the information gathered would be useful in the new measures planned.

A committee was previously formed in 2006 following the collapse of the Chang’ombe Village Inn in Keko, which killed one person and injured several others.

The probe found that out of 505 buildings inspected, 147 did not have proper construction documentation.

Other alarming findings revealed that 81 buildings violated building regulations, while 22 were built without any traceable ownership, disregarding legal procedures.

The findings were documented, but little has been done since, leading many to question whether the latest investigation into the Kariakoo incident will lead to substantial change.

However, President Suluhu has promised that her administration will take decisive action following the ongoing inspections.

“The building collapse sent a clear message to the government about the need for a comprehensive review of the structural integrity of all buildings in Kariakoo,” she said, noting the mismanagement and cost-cutting measures that led to the disaster.

She explained that the building in question was constructed with minimal financial investment without proper analysis of the potential risks involved, ultimately leading to its collapse.

“To avoid such incidents in the future, we have already formed a team of 20 experts who are working diligently to ensure that buildings in Kariakoo are built to standards and that such accidents do not happen again,” President Suluhu added .

The tragedy, she said, demonstrates failures at multiple levels of government, from central and local governments to regional authorities, saying it is imperative that all stakeholders – government entities, civil society and the public – work together to prevent a repeat such incidents. .

The president called for strict adherence to building standards and greater control during project implementation to ensure public safety. She noted that while permits were issued, quality control during construction was neglected, leading to the catastrophe.

Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa gave an update on the ongoing rescue and recovery operations at the site. He announced plans to transfer merchandise from the collapsed building to a secure warehouse while search efforts continue for any remaining victims.

He commended the community for its cooperation during the rescue operations. “It is heartening to see that no looting took place during the rescue efforts. Instead, community members actively participated, demonstrating a growing awareness of the importance of collective action in emergency situations,” he said.

The Kariakoo building collapse is one of the most devastating construction incidents in Tanzania’s recent history, prompting widespread calls for reforms in urban planning, construction supervision and governance accountability.

As investigations continue, authorities have pledged to enforce stricter construction regulations and ensure greater vigilance in the sector. The government’s response will be closely monitored as the nation demands justice for the victims and preventive measures to prevent future tragedies.