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Massive house demolition lurks Arusha
2006-11-13 08:45:03
By Adam Ihucha, Arusha
A total of 140 acres which serve as a buffer zone that borders Arusha main dump at Muriet area, about 8km south of the city, have been illegally sold off to private land buyers.
As a consequence, some 150 houses which have been constructed in the area have been marked for imminent demolition.
City Mayor Paul Lotta Laizer says that the huge land area has been turned into real estate by private developers, without the knowledge of the authority.
”Hundreds of private developers have bought plots within the Muriet buffer zone.
They have already erected hundreds of permanent structures for residential and commercial purposes without permission,” Laizer told reporters.
He added: ”Muriet’s vast area with a total of 200 acres was earmarked for city undertakings, and only 60 acres were set aside as a dumping site, but the remaining 140 acres have unlawfully been grabbed by individuals.”
The mayor said that the original plan was to reserve 100 acres, while 60 acres were set aside for waste disposal and the remaining 40 acres were allocated for plot re-allocation.
Laiser said that the 150 buildings erected within the Muriet area would be demolished without compensation at any moment, as the local government deemed fit.
”I would like to warn any person not to buy or sell any plot within the Muriet area…this vicinity is legally owned by Arusha City Council for official use and not otherwise,” Laizer said.
He quickly added: ”All buildings marked with red X-demolition marks, which are located along the Muriet dumping site, do not deserve compensation. They were constructed illegally,” the mayor said.
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