When a four-storey building undergoing underground extension collapsed, on the morning of Saturday 16 November 2024, there was panic in the City. Another accident, yes, but this was not an accident involving motor vehicles, which has become regular now. It was a commercial building, in the busiest area of Dar es Salaam that came tumbling down.
The President immediately ordered an inquiry and hopefully we will get to know what actually happened. She wants also to know whether the high rise buildings in Kariakoo are actually safe. The team that will make the investigation should include experts such as land use planners, engineers, land officers, architect, and quantity surveyors. One factor they may want to consider is the evolution of Kariakoo, from a native village to now, a forest of high rise building.
