Residents of Kinyinya in Gacuriro Cell, Gasabo district on Wednesday stormed the district headquarters requesting to be expropriated.

According to Frederic Murenzi, 47, one of the residents The Sunday Times spoke to at the district headquarters, they forwarded the expropriation request letter to the district because they cannot afford building structures required in the area.

"We are just representatives of a big group of people, but the reason for the request to be expropriated is due to the inability to build houses required in the area,” Murenzi said.

Stephen Habiyambere, 62, and a father of four said he prefers to be expropriated so that he can move to an area he can afford to put up a structure.

"I am not able to build a modern house like those being built. So it’s better if I am paid off and I go to an area I can build a house and survive with my family,” Habiyambere said.

However, he pointed out that the project Tent Temporary Permanent (TTP) also known as Abadacogora in the area, aimed at settling residents, is against their wish.

When contacted Antoinne Nyirahuku, Chairperson of Abadacogora in the area, said, "We are not against residents selling their plots to move to other areas

They can sell to individuals, but this is a resettlement area which is not earmarked for the expropriation exercise.”

Meanwhile, the Vice Mayor in charge of Social Affairs in Gasabo district, Narcisse Ndagijimana, said expropriating the residents in a resettlement area may be possible in circumstances like implementing the Master Plan and when the Land Commission approves it is being done in people’s interest.

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