Pinda directs councils to buy brick machines

Dar es Salaam. Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda yesterday directed local authorities to set aside Sh4.5 million in the next financial year to purchase of machines for manufacturing interlocking bricks.

Mr Pinda spoke when closing a two-week seminar for 50 trainers, who were taught how to effectively use the new-environmental friendly machines. The training was organized by National Housing Corporation (NHC) through the National Housing and Building Research Agency (NHBRA).

The machines, which are produced and sold by NHBRA for Sh450,000 each, can be used to make 100 interlocking bricks from a 50kg bag of cement mixed with ordinary sand.

Mr Pinda said the machines would held to protect and conserve the environment.

“The government is currently grappling with environmental degradation in the country, and this technology will help us a lot. Councils should start setting aside money,” he said.

“For this price, each council will afford to purchase these machines, and as a result, youth will have something to do because people build houses every day. This way, we will also preserve the environment.”

NHC Director General Nehemia Mchechu said that the programme was part of the corporation’s corporate social responsibility.

“Instead of giving them something they will use for one day, we thought of giving them something which they will use for many years,” he said.

Mr Mchechu said NHC would give each municipal council four machines free of charge, adding that the equipment to be given away was worth Sh288 million. The machines will be operated by ten people while at the same time each municipal council will be given Sh500,000 to be used as starting capital for the groups. “Among these 50 people who attended the training, 34 come from the Vocational Education and Training Authority (Veta) while the remaining 16 are from youth groups,” Mr Mchechu said.

Meanwhile, Mr Pinda asked NHBRA to manufacture 20 machines which will be taken to Katavi Region.

“They are good for environment preservation. Please produce 20 for my region,” he said.

Veta acting Director General Leah Lukindo said the meagre state resources should be used prudently.

“We will help in providing education as a way of making sure that we use the meagre resources in creating employment for youth in the country,” she said.

MsLukindo said Veta tutors who attended the training would teach youth groups in their areas how operate the interlocking bricks machines.

Mr Pinda asked NHC to extend duration of the programme from two to five years.

“The government needs to help you more in achieving this...make it five years and we will find a way to work with you,” he said.