TIB, council seek Sh6bn to transform city beach

Dar es Salaam. The beach area between Lighthouse and Seacliff in the city will soon dress on a new face if a project - being implemented by TIB Development Bank and the Kinondoni Municipal Council – has anything to go by.

The two institutions, along with other interested parties, will soon start scouting for at least Sh6 billion from various players to fund the construction of relevant infrastructure for the scheme – the Oysterbay Beach Project which is popularly known as Cocoa Beach.

“To us, this is a corporate social responsibility gesture….it is part of our endeavour to transform public open spaces which are under the mandate of local government authorities,” the TIB Development Bank Managing Director Mr Peter Noni said at the weekend.

He said the project is part of what the bank does in the effort to work with local government authorities in their town planning schemes – including developing markets, bus terminals and other infrastructure-related projects.

According to the Kinondoni Municipal Council director, Mr Mussa Natty, the area will remain a free open space to the general public.

“The improvement is however, meant to provide employment, boost tourism and improve security in the area,” he said noting that ultimately, the area will cater for at least half of the council’s own annual revenue collections.

“At least Sh17 billion will be collected from various activities that will be conducted from this areas upon completion,” he said. The concept was taken from other beaches including in Durban in South Africa. Among the facilities to furnish the area include a Turtle Plaza, promotional spaces for exhibitions, picnic area/free beach, an iconic restaurant, the food and beverage area, the water park and a covered plaza.

TIB’s partnership with Kinondoni Municipal Council to revamp the Oysterbay Beach dates back to the year 2013 and has since progressed from concept design through completion of the master plan costing some Sh260 million.

It is now ready to proceed to the detailed design stage. The Master Plan was approved by the council on July 8, 2015 and has been submitted to the Ministry of Land, Housing and Human Settlements Development.

Of the money, TIB Development Bank sourced Sh86 million while the National Housing Corporation issued another Sh86 million. The Kinondoni Municipal Council contributed $30,000 while the United Nations Capital Development Fund contributed $10,000.