91 Lapsset landowners yet to paid by the NLC

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RESIDENTS whose land was acquired to pave way for the construction of the Lamu Port Southern Sudan-Ethiopia Transport project are yet to be compensated.

The National Assembly committee on Transport and Infrastructure was yesterday told that since the groundbreaking ceremony two years ago, the 91 land owners in the project corridor are yet to be paid.

The committee chaired by Starehe MP Maina Kamanda heard that the land is in Goni and Kilalani settlement schemes. National Land Commission CEO Tom Chavangi told the committee that nothing has been done since then.

The mega Sh1.5 trillion project was launched in May 2012 in a ceremony that was jointly overseen by former President Mwai Kibaki, President Salvar Kiir of of South Sudan and Ethiopia Prime Minister Meles Zenawi.

“As far as Lapsset is concerned, no construction has commenced and no compensation done from the time it was launched,” Chavangi said. He said the commission has not received any funds to start compensating the owners.

The committee expressed concerns that projects is yet o kick off. Members said it has been two years since the ground breaking ceremony took place and no construction has taken place in Lamu.

The committee chairman demanded to know whether the 91 pieces of land are part of the 500,000 acres whose titles President Uhuru Kenyatta revoked last Thursday.

Members resolved to reschedule the meeting to Tuesday next week to allow the NLC to provide adequate details on the land. The committee also resolved to summon Kenya Ports Authority, the chairperson of Lapsset, the lands registrar and the chief valuer.

“We will give them one week to appear before us and tell us why they have not given the NLC money to compensate the land owners.”

Source:The-star