President Kikwete has received a draft constitution, which will
reintroduce a leadership code that bars civil servants from engaging in
private business if passed. Photo/FILE
By ADAM IHUCHA Special Correspondent
In Summary
- This has thrown the construction of the multi million-dollar four-lane dual carriageway — due to begin in April 2014 — into disarray.
Residents of northern Tanzania are protesting
construction of the Arusha-Holili-Taveta highway over delays in payment
of compensation.
This has thrown the construction of the multi
million-dollar four-lane dual carriageway — due to begin in April 2014 —
into disarray.
The government has only raised Tsh1 billion
($649,350), out of the Tsh28 billion ($18.19 million) required to
compensate nearly 1,000 people whose houses will be demolished. About
160 houses will be brought down along a 40-km bypass through Arusha-Usa
River town.
The by-pass starts from Ngaramtoni and runs
through Kisongo, Arusha airport all the way to Njiro and Moshono suburbs
on the southeast to connect with the Moshi road at Usa River. “We are
not going to move until we are fully compensated,” said Arthur Sixtus,
leader of the protesters.
Government’s position
However, Arusha regional manager for the Tanzania Roads Network Agency Deusdedit Kakoko, told The EastAfrican
that the state is looking for funds. He said that with or without
immediate compensation, the government will take over the area for
construction to begin.
Human-rights lawyer Miriam Matinda said that
section 49 (3) of the Land Act of 1999, cap 113 provides for the right
to compensation over the revoked rights of occupancy. “The government
should compensate the affected people in a timely and prompt manner,”
said Ms Matinda.
The Arusha-Moshi road project is part of the
240km-long regional project linking Arusha, the East African Community
headquarters, and Voi town in Kenya. The upgrading of the 85km-long
Voi-Holili section in Kenya is already underway, according to Mr Kakoko.
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