Former residents of Gasenyi locality, near the presidential palace under construction in Mutimbuzi commune of Bujumbura province still claim their compensation. This Thursday March 1st, they have staged a sit-in in front of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Urban Territory.
Evicted people from Gasenyi locality have staged a sit-in in front of the ministry of environment
“We have come here for our land promises. None of the 20 families evicted near the presidential palace that’s being built in Gasenyi has been compensated until now,” says one of the evicted people from Gasenyi area.
He says they have responded to a summons by the ministry that promised to grant them papers of new parcels. On 18 January, the minister of environment, water and urban territory carried out a field visit in Maramvya zone in Mutimbuzi commune of Bujumbura province where the evicted people were supposed to receive their lands.
The residents of Gasenyi, regrets that they were not received despite the hours they had just spent at the ministry. “After our house was destroyed, trips to and from the ministry make matters worse. Our limited means are always used for transport,” says another woman.
These residents say they have no hope for a solution to their problems “which were supposed to be solved a year ago”. They call on the authorities to establish their full rights after the hardships they have been enduring. Iwacu has tried to contact the Environment Minister and the latter has promised to give more details later.
In April 2017, a bulldozer destroyed 23 houses built in the 40 ha of the site of the presidential under construction in Mutimbuzi commune of Bujumbura province. Local administrative officials said it was a project of common interest.
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