Government has signed compensation agreements with 34 settlers from Mwenzo area in Nakonde district who were living along a stretch set aside for the construction of an access road leading to the International Airport project site in Nakonde District, Muchinga Province. The…

Government has signed compensation agreements with 34 settlers from Mwenzo area in Nakonde district who were living along a stretch set aside for the construction of an access road leading to the International Airport project site in Nakonde District, Muchinga Province.

The compensation follows the release of 3 million kwacha meant for the compensation of settlers under phase two.

Muchinga Province Assistant Secretary, Evans Hichilema, who interacted with the settlers, has implored them to find alternative resettlement once compensated, to pave way for construction of access road.

He disclosed that the government has since given the affected settlers a 90-day ultimatum to relocate from the area to facilitate construction of the access road.

Mr Hichilema made the remarks today during a compensation agreement signing ceremony held at the District Administration Office in Nakonde District.

He said construction of the Airport will commence soon and is expected to come with a lot of advantages for the local people, such as jobs.

 He also emphasized the need for the contractor to consider the locals in the employment once work begins.

“As construction of the Airport starts, there should be consideration of the local people for employment, “he said

Meanwhile, Nakonde District Commissioner, Marvelous Sikapizye, anticipates enhanced development once the International Airport is completed.

Mr Sikapizye said Nakonde has seen massive development, and attributed these to the sound policies of the UPND government under President Hakainde Hichilema.

Meanwhile, the settlers talked to by the media are happy with the compensation under Phase One and have called on the government to speed up payments for settlers under Phase Two.

Zundani Silavwe has appreciated the government for the timely compensation of settlers under Phase One.

“We are just appealing to the government to speed up the payment process for settlers earmarked for compensation under Phase Two,”he saidAnd another settler, Annie Nanyangwe, said the settlers were given a good package and has since advised fellow beneficiaries to use the money wisely.

 Recently, the government compensated 93 Mwenzo settlers under Phase One, who have since started relocating to pave the way for construction of the International Airport in Nakonde District.