The Citizen (Dar es Salaam)
Erick Mchome
30 November 2009
The Tanzania Assemblies of God (TAG) Church building at Ilala parish near the Uhuru round about in Kariakoo, is reportedly sold to Arab investors, The Citizen has learnt.
The church's assistant pastor, Rev Ray Senyenge, said over the phone from Arusha that the church reached the decision to sale the building after realising that believers who attend that church have become many and lack parking space.
"The church has grown in terms of numbers of believers and the building could not accommodate all of us, that is why we have decided to move to another bigger area where we can operate comfortable," said pastor Senyenge late last week.
According to Pastor Senyenge the plot where the church is presently located, was given to the church by the Government through city council in 1975.
From mid next year, the church which has about 1,000 believers, will be reallocated to Kigogo/Msimbazi Street, also in Kariakoo.
"On November 22 we announced the decision by church leaders and the congregation understood and agreed," he said.
But the decision to sale the church property has not pleased some believers, who have threatened to abandon their church.
"The whole process has been so secretive... that the congregation is unaware the exact amount of money paid to the church for the sale," said one of the followers who preferred anonymity.
Information reaching The Citizen said the church has been sold to the Arab traders for Sh1.1 billion, while the congregation was told that it was sold for Sh800 million only.
Efforts to reach the head pastor Rev Titus Mkama, to verify, could not succeed as his mobile was not reachable.
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