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Committee on Tabata Dampo begins work on compensation
2008-04-26 09:54:35
By Gadiosa Lamtey
The committee formed to evaluate plots and demolished properties at Tabata Dampo in Dar es Salaam, began the evaluation exercise yesterday that will eventually pave way to compensation of 96 house owners.
Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner Abbas Kandoro formed the committee early this month after State Minister in the Prime Minister`s office, Stephen Wassira, ordered compensation to people whose houses were illegitimately pulled down by Ilala municipal authorities in February this year.
The demolition at Tabata Dampo area sparked public outcry prompting the government to form a six-man committee, which investigated the incident.
It found that municipal officials had grossly violated rules in ordering and implementing the exercise.
A member of evaluation team, Jeremiah Mkorere, said on behalf of committee members that the exercise was open and throughout the process house owners, tenants and other people will be involved.
``We are not here to provide money. I want everyone to understand that today is the day for registering your plots in order to have correct information before compensation is made. Money will be paid on completion of the exercise,`` he clarified.
Mkorere explained that experts helping the committee were using a map to identify plots and once a particular plot is located, photograph of the owner is taken for reference.
One of the victims, Hamisa Ombeni, thanked the government for taking the problem seriously and for commitment to help the affected house owners.
``We pray the exercise goes fast so that we can collect our money. We need to resume our normal lives as soon as possible,`` she said.
Another victim, Jay Ambe, requested the government to provide more financial and material support to victims to help them resettle elsewhere.
``My properties were destroyed and I do not have enough money to replace them. It will take time to recover. I ask the government to reconsider,`` said Ambe.
On February 29, this year a fleet of bulldozers ran over 96 houses at Tabata Dampo area, rendering 500 persons homeless.
The demolitions caused untold suffering among affected families, who have been forced to live in tents provided by regional authorities and other humanitarian agencies.
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