University dons worry over own handiwork

The Engineers Registration Board (ERB) has hired independent consultants from the University of Dar es Salaam Bureau of Industrial Cooperation (BICO) to examine the safety of the 11-storey building at Zanaki Street in Dar es Salaam. The decision follows fear and widespread rumours that the building might collapse anytime – since it has started leaning on adjacent buildings.

The structure was put up some eight years ago - and it is largely used as a residential complex. The ERB Registrar, Mr Steven Mlote and other officials of the board yesterday visited the building and thereafter told the 'Daily News' that the ERB was concerned with people’s fear and therefore they had decided to hire consultants to establish its safety. He said they had questioned engineers who constructed the building but whose explanations were not satisfactory. The registrar noted that Bico would examine generally all parts of the building and conduct non-destructive test. Mr Mlote however could hesitate to show his doubt over capacity and size of the elevator which is very small and with only one door. On Wednesday and yesterday scores of people thronged to the area to witness ‘what could have been another incident of building collapse in the city’. Some families staying in the building said that it had always been nightmarish and worrisome to use the elevator and therefore embark on cumbersome and tiresome task of climbing the building on foot. The building seemed to lean on the other four-storey building. According to ERB officials, the two buildings, should at least, be three metres apart. Families staying in the building were unrestful and panicked as the crowd was looking at the building. “Our life here is at jeopardy, we do not know what will happen to us as rumours are everywhere that the building is going to collapse. We appeal to the government to act fast and provide advice on what to do,” said one tenant. One passer-by, Hassan Salum, said that the government should order evacuation of tenants from the building while waiting for consultants to do their tasks. About two months ago on the same Zanaki Street a ten-storey building under construction collapsed, claiming life of one person.Information have it that there are at least 100 buildings in the country which are at risk of collapsing.