DODOMA: THE government has assured the public that all individuals moved from airports project areas will be compensated, insisting that no persons, who deserve payment will be denied of their right.
Deputy Minister for Transport, Mr David Kihenzile offered an assurance when responding to the question posed by Special Seats MP (CCM) Maimuna Pathan in the National Assembly.
In her basic question, the legislator demanded the government response on when it would compensate residents whose farms were acquired by the government, through the Tanzania Airports Authority (TAA), to pave the way for the expansion of Nachingwea airport in Lindi Region.
She said despite the government, through TAA, acquiring farms from Nachingwea residents five years ago to facilitate the expansion of the airport, compensation hasn’t been effected to-date.
In his response to the question, the deputy minister said the government was still working on the compensation claims for residents whose farms were taken in preparation for Nachingwea airport expansion.
According to Mr Kihenzile, the preliminary procedures to identify individuals who deserve compensation and their assets are completed, adding that the government chief valuer has endorsed them for payment.
The question from Ms Pathan triggered supplementary questions from a number of legislators from constituencies with people who still demand government compensation after TAA either moved them or acquired their farms to pave the way for the expansion or construction of airports.
Musoma CCM legislator, Vedastus Manyinyi raised similar question with regard to compensation claims for some individuals who were moved to pave the way for the expansion of Musoma airport in Mara Region.
He said three years have gone by now since the individuals were moved, with them still waiting for the compensation that amounts to over 3bn/-.
Responding to Mr Manyinyi’s question, Deputy Minister Kihenzile said the Ministry of Transport was still in talks with the Ministry of Finance on the matter.
Similar question was asked concerning some individuals whose assets were acquired by the government during the expansion of Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA).
The response from the deputy minister prompted Deputy Speaker who serves as Ilala legislator, Mussa Zungu to question the government on when it would compensate residents who were residing at Kipinguni area in Dar es Salaam Region but were moved to facilitate the expansion of Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA).
Responding to Mr Zungu’s question, Minister for Finance Dr Mwigulu Nchemba said the government will soon start paying them.
According to Dr Nchemba, the payment of the compensation will start with those whose claims have been verified.
‘It is true that there are individuals who are still claiming compensation after they were evicted from Kipunguni area but there are some who have already been compensated,” Dr Nchemba was quoted as saying when answering the question.
According to the finance minister, some individuals who were given plots as compensation still had lodged compensation demands while others had inflated the claims.
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