At least 2,000 households that fell within the boundaries of the proposed Bugesera International Airport in Bugesera District had been expropriated by the end of last week. The move paves way for the construction of the long awaited airport, which will greatly enhance the country’s ambitions to become a regional aviation hub. Property of the households was valuated four years ago. The expropriated residents, who spoke to The New Times last weekend, said they had already secured land elsewhere and were ready to move to pave way for the airport project.
“It is good news, especially since most of us had been waiting for years and could not do anything on our land because we were waiting to be paid. I am satisfied and have bought a plot of land in Nyagatare District. Others have bought land just near the proposed airport,” said Samuel Ngirinshuti, one of expropriated residents.
The expropriated households are part of the more than 6,000 who are supposed to vacate the area covering 25.6 square kilometres, where the modern airport is to be constructed, with the entire expropriation exercise expected to cost Rwf12 billion. However, some of the farmers said there were delays in paying them and with the process taking four years, they argued that “inflation should have been taken into account.”
They say the price of land have has since shot up and that the compensation they received is no longer enough. “Bugesera is developing pretty fast and the price of land has shot up compared to how things were four years ago. A piece of land that was valued at Rwf1 million then can now go for Rwf6 million,” said Apollinaire Bihoyiki, another resident who was expropriated. He said most people have been forced to move to other places out of Bugesera because land in the district has significantly appreciated. FULL STORY
