PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has released 816.78m/- to be paid to 51 residents of Mangamba Juu in Mtwara District as compensation for their land acquired 22 years ago by the state to build a water treatment plant in the area.
Mtwara District Commissioner, Mr Danstan Kyobya made the revelation here over the weekend, noting that the money has already been deposited to Mtwara Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Authority (MTUWASA) bank account for payment to the eligible residents.
“President Samia has pro- vided 816,786,000m/- for compensating 51 people whose land was acquired by MTUWASA more than two decades ago for construction of a water treatment plant here in Mangamba,” he said.
Mr Kyobya expressed gratitude to President Samia and Water Minister Mr Jumaa Aweso for clearing the compensation.
He also commended MTUWASA Executive Director, Engineer Rejea Ng’ondya for working hand in hand with top government officials to ensure the compensation is paid.
He directed MTUWASA boss and the management to start paying the money effective last Saturday to eligible people after making verification of their names and photographs.
“I hereby direct the management of MTUWASA to first verify the names and photo- graphs of people eligible for compensation before paying the money to them, ” he said nd directed those eligible for compensation to ensure they have a bank account to receive their payment.
Engineer Ng’ondya assured wananchi of his commitment to ensure each and every eligible person is paid as required.
“I really thank the gov- ernment for settling the compensation, it is a relief for MTUWASA and the wananchi here in Mangamba as the delay led to the dispute between MTUWASA and the residents whose land was taken in 2001, almost 22 years ago,” he said.
He said MTUWASA acquired land from some 51 residents in Mangamba Juu area in 2001 for construction of a water treatment but failed to pay them compensation, a move that led to a dispute between MTUWASA and the residents, with some refusing to vacate the area.
Engineer Ng’ondya also expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Land, Housing and Human Settlement Development and the Minister for Water Jumaa Aweso for working hard to settle the dispute.
He assured Mtwara DC that he would strictly supervise and ensure the compensation funds are provided to each and every eligible person as required.
“I just want to assure the government in the region and the DC that the process to pay the eligible people would be strictly managed well to ensure each and every eligible person is compensated without causing any more delay or chaos.
On the other hand, some of the eligible residents have thanked President Samia for settling the money.
“We are really thankful to the President for hearing our cry over our land that was taken a long time ago, it’s a surprise to some of us as we had given up thinking that we will never be paid our compensation,” said one Juma Issa Mohammed.