adminTanaka Mahanya
GOVERNMENT has started compensating people displaced to make way for the construction of the Mbudzi interchange.
Speaking during a tour of the project yesterday, Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development Permanent Secretary, Theodius Chinyanga, confirmed that compensation had started.
“We committed ourselves to ensuring that everyone who has been impacted negatively by this project in terms of property holders is compensated on time.
“We have 52 title holders who should be compensated.
“The properties have been evaluated by the local government and two other independent companies so that we give those affected fair compensation,” Chinyanga said.
He said after the evaluations, they engaged those affected as some of them were not happy.
“We have agreed with 51 of those who are entitled to compensation and are still in discussion with just one so that we enter agreements of compensation with them.
“The 51 have already signed settlement agreements.
“To date, of the US$34 million that should be paid out as compensation, finance has moved US$12 million, which is a total of 19 properties out of the 52.”
He said there were 95 lease holders along Chitungwiza Road blocking construction.
“These will be relocated to Hatcliffe.
“Local government has found land and is in the process of planning the land subdivisions.
“We are going to build three-roomed core houses for the lease holders,” he said.
There are currently 550 people employed at the Mbudzi interchange.
Online Reporter