Building of Sh24b dam to start as row resolved
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On Friday, Water Cabinet Secretary Simon Chelugui led a elegation, including NLC Chairman Muhammad Swazuri, senior ministry officials and officials from Athi Water Services Board to the area where he announced the row pitting the locals and the Government over compensation had been resolved. Mr Chelugui said the Government had already given Sh1.2 billion to NLC to compensate locals who will be affected in the Phase One of the project, which will cover 171 acres for the dam embankment and water draw off structures. The money includes compensation for the land, structures and crops. NLC will pay Sh3 million for an acre of land excluding anything on it. Phase two will cover the reservoir area. “The NLC as mandated by law has prepared a compensation schedule for the first phase of the dam. The total compensation amount for the 171 acres is Sh1.2 billion. I have already instructed AWSB, which is the implementing agency, to expedite the compensation process. This will be done in collaboration with NLC and other stakeholders,” said Chelugui. The CS said the dam would produce 70,000 cubic metres of water per day.SEE ALSO :Church accuses Lands agency staff of Sh200 million bribe demand
Prof Swazuri said the agency would start compensating residents on Thursday next week. “I will personally come here on Tuesday to give out compensation awards. From Wednesday, you will start receiving the money,” said Swazuri. According to NLC, more than 2,000 families will be affected by the dam. Construction of the dam on 600 acres of land is expected to be complete in December 2020. Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu welcomed the project.
