CR Magazine

NSSF to Construct the University of Dodoma

NSSF had the privilege of being the first entity to start construction of the new university by building hostels for 5,000 students as a replica of the University of Dar es Salaam’s Mabibo Hostels.

Before the start of construction, the only building existing in the university premises was the monumental Chimwaga Conference Hall. The remaining vast land was covered by thick bush with only foot paths used by grazers of cattle and goats.

There were no beacons to guide the setting of buildings and the topography of the area was not yet mapped on paper. Infact, the first task was to choose the spot at which the hostels will stand and thereafter clearance of the bush would start.

In the construction of the University of Dodoma, National Social Security Fund (NSSF) has been allocated the task of implementing the erection of buildings and associated infrastructure for the college of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Phase 1

In consultation with the university administration, it was decided that the first hostels would be located just in front of the highest hill in the vicinity of Chimwaga hill. The work of replication of Mabibo Hostels in Dodoma started in November 2007.

The work was to take seventy weeks from start to completion, but due to pressure from the university, the contractor was required to shorten the time to forty-seven weeks so that the 5,000 student hostel could be used in the 2008/9 academic year. The hostels were completed and occupied by the students on the 29th September 2008.

Phase Two

The second phase of construction started on site in July 2008 and involved construction of ;-
1. 2 cafeterias
2. 24 classrooms
3. 18 mini lecture theatres
4. 186 room academic office buildings
5. A dispensary
6. 2 main lecture theatres
7. A library
8. A linguistic laboratory

All the facilities below were, at least being used partially by the university from March 2009

Phase 3

NSSF embarked on the last phase of construction of this college through work divided into 10 lots. The works started between August 2009 and December 2009. The completion dates are expected to be between September and December 2010. The works involve construction of hostels for the remaining 15,000 students, sports grounds, administration office and replication of the facilities constructed in phase two. Details of this phase are as follows ;-

The total cost of the project at completion is estimated to be Tzs 278 billion(US$191 million). In carrying out this project, NSSF is represented by Engineer Karim Mattaka working as the Project Manager for the entire project. Among his duties is to monitor day to day progress on site in regard to things like cost, time and quality. In order to ensure the specified quality of works is achieved, NSSF has stationed seven engineers working as clerks of works on site.

Phase 1 Project Team

Architects :
Sumar Varma Associates

Structural and& Civil Engineers :
TANconsult

Quantity Surveyors :
Cost Consult

Service Engineers :
Electriplan

Main Contractor :
China Railway Jianchang Engineering Co. Ltd

Electrical Sub Contractor :
Derm Electrics