09 Feb 2022

Government has already spent P82 million in compensation of some of the residents who had paved way for Maun International Airport.Transport and communications minister, Mr Thulagano Segokgo told Parliament that government remained committed to paying outstanding amounts to those who had not been compensated and with interest where applicable.

Mr Segokgo , who was responding to a Parliamentary question, explained the ministry would do everything to ensure that everyone was paid by the end of the first quarter of the next financial year. He said a study conducted in December 2019 showed that out of the 1 039 people who were eligible for compensation, only 1 039 were compensated.

Another exercise, he said was done last year, but the ministry was  awaiting an audited report, adding preliminary reports, however showed that 1 453 out of 1 483 had been compensated while 29 were yet to be compensated.

Meanwhile, some Maun residents were relocated to Disana Ward in 2007 and some were compensated after assessment of their property. Minister Segokgo indicated that some people were not adequately compensated while others were not compensated at all.

Maun East MP, Mr Goretetse Kekgonegile had asked the minister to state progress made in paying Disana community their compensation following their relocation. He also wanted the minister to state the number of those who had been compensated against those eligible. MP Kekgonegile further wanted to know if government would pay interest accrued from outstanding debt and how much interest would be paid. ENDS