19bn/- required as compensation to Kipunguni residents, says govt

DAILYNEWS Reporters in Dodoma

Deputy Minister for Works, Transport and Communication, Eng Edwin Ngonyani.

GOVERNMENT is still looking for 19bn/- as compensation for the remaining 742 Kipunguni residents whose houses were demolished to pave way for the expansion of the Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA).

This was revealed in the National Assembly by the Deputy Minister for Works, Transport and Communication, Eng Edwin Ngonyani.

He said the government will pay the compensation depending on the availability of funds whereas in 2009/10 more than 1,500 residents of Kipawa were paid 18bn/- while in 2010/11, 864 Kigilagila residents pocketed 12bn/-.

The minister gave the figures when answering the main question raised by Bonnah Kaluwa (Segerea - CCM), who wanted to know when the government will finalise compensation for residents of Kipawa ward in her constituency.

Eng Ngonyani added that another batch of 59 residents of Kipunguni were paid 1.2bn/- in 2013/14 financial year as he expressed the government’s commitment to finish up with the remaining people.

By the end of 1990, the government decided to expand the JNIA prompting the need to remove people leaving near the airport to give room for the project. The minister urged Kipunguni residents to be patient as various means are being sought to ensure that funds are available for compensation.

“We will pay them as agreed, all those who are entitled for compensation are assured that they will receive their entitlement,” he said. The compensation will be paid with the stipulated interest fee for the delay of such payment.