Zanzibar to review compensation for Amani, Magogoni residents

ZANZIBAR: IN response to complaints over alleged unfair compensation, the Zanzibar government has pledged to review payouts awarded to residents displaced by the ongoing flyover and road expansion project in Amani and Magogoni.

Affected residents claim the initial payments for their land and properties were inadequate and resolve the dispute and avoid further delays to the landmark infrastructure project, which includes Zanzibar’s second flyover, the government has promised a swift reassessment to ensure fairness and transparency.

The decision was reached following a joint meeting between officials from the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transport, the President’s Office (Finance and Planning), and representatives of the affected communities.

Speaking after the meeting, Minister for Infrastructure Dr Khalid Salum Mohammed said the revaluation process will be completed within a week.

“We have instructed the original valuation team to revisit their assessments, this time considering land use certificates and other legal documents before submitting the final report,” said Dr Mohammed.

He added that the government is committed to ensuring that no citizen is left behind in the development process, in line with President Hussein Mwinyi’s directive to guarantee just compensation for all.

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“The country’s development must be inclusive. Every citizen must receive fair value for their property,” he said.

Minister in the President’s Office (Finance and Planning) Dr Saada Mkuya Salum echoed this sentiment, describing the meeting as a vital platform for hearing directly from affected residents.

“The valuers will re-measure and re-evaluate all properties to ensure a fair outcome for both the government and the people,” she said, assuring residents of transparency throughout the process.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minister for Land and Housing Development Ms Salha Mohammed Mwinjuma urged residents to become ambassadors of accurate information within their communities to prevent misinformation and build trust.

Several residents expressed appreciation for the government’s willingness to address their concerns.

Mr Said Walid Fikirini and Mr Kassim Mohamed Khalfan commended the authorities for engaging directly with citizens, while Ms Mauwa Mohammed, a homeowner in Mwembemakumbi, welcomed the proposal of being offered alternative plots.