The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) has made a historical event by handing over 32 apartment buildings to some of Dar es Salaam's higher learning institutions. NSSF Director General, William Erio said the event was for the handing over of the buildings to be used by students from some of the universities in Dar es Salaam, as their new dormitories.

Erio thanked the Fifth Phase Government of Hon. Dr. John Pombe Magufuli, for the guidance that enabled them to achieve the completion of the first phase of the project.

He further thanked the Prime Minister, Kassim Majaliwa for visiting the project and directives on how to complete the project and the close supervision of the Minister responsible for Policy, Parliamentary Affairs, Labour, Employment, Youth and Disabled Hon. Jenista Mhagama.

Erio said the instructions of the officials have also enabled students from higher learning institutions to be initial customers of the buildings.

He thanked the heads of the higher learning institutions for their readiness during the implementation of the project, since they started at the initial stage of negotiation and later signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

According to Erio, NSSF houses are suitable for Lecturers and other staff, so he urged the heads of the institutions to take advantage of the opportunity to secure better housing.

On the other hand, the president of the student government of the Center for Foreign Relations, Xavery Andreas Matembo has applauded the Fifth Phase Government for solving the students' challenges.

Xavery has asked his colleagues to partner with the NSSF to ensure proper use of the buildings

Theodota Marata, Acting Chief Executive Officer Mbagala, she said on behalf of the Temeke District Office, they are the major beneficiary of the NSSF project as it will be a solution to many university students who have experienced serious challenges in acquire hostel to stay.

"But this handover is going to save this challenge and help our students to live in a decent settlement," she said.

Speaking at the historical event for students of higher learning institutions, Chairman of the NSSF Board of Trustees, Ambassador Ali Siwa, said the Mtoni Kijichi project, which is now intended to be used as a dormitories, has 64 apartments with a total of 720 houses.

He explained that the number assigned to them was 32 apartments with 356 houses estimated to accommodate 4,317 students.

In the two districts the Dar es Salam University College of Education (DUCE) will take 5 apartments for 696 students, Institute of Finance Management (IFM) will take 6 apartments for 815 students, Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology (DIT) 1 apartment for 144 students, Tanzania Institute of Accountancy will take 10 apartments for 1,165 students, Center for Foreign Relations 1 apartment for 96 students, Mwalimu Nyerere Memorial Academy, will take 9 apartments to accommodate 1,398 students, explained the chairperson.

The Minister responsible for Social Security Funds Hon. Jenista Mhagama has stated that the Fifth Phase Government under President Dr. John Magufuli will ensure that the student housing problem is resolved and become a history in the country.

Jenista said this at the weekend while handover dormitories to higher learning institutions students in the Dar es Salaam region. The dormitories are located in NSSF Mtoni Kijichi, Temeke District

She said the Government had made the right decision to make sure the project solves a major accommodation challenge for those students.

"Through this project, the NSSF has been the right answer to eliminate the problem of housing and accommodation for students," she said.

Hon. Jenista said the Fund has allocated 4,317 students accommodation and that the area would be for students housing.

He warned the houses should not be turned over to be the university project, and instead the rental costs should be fair to students from all socio-economic backgrounds.

She said they would not close eyes to those who would prevent children of all conditions from living in those homes.

On his part, the Minister of Education, Science and Technology, Professor Joyce Ndalichako, said the Ministry is grateful to NSSF for providing such facilities that would solve the problems facing higher learning students.

She said the action undertaken by the Fund is a good example to be followed by other organizations.

Hon. Ndalichako said the problem of housing for higher learning students is huge, with a large percentage of students living outside their colleges.

"The provision of these buildings for higher education students is a clear indication that the Government is caring for students," she said.