Gasabo District has started compensating families in Jabana, Gasabo District whose properties were destroyed by stone mining activities in the area.

The Mayor, Willy Ndizeye, said yesterday in an interview with The New Times that many of the affected families have so far received their packages. Over 100 families were affected.

"We have paid several of them and the process is still ongoing,” Ndizeye said

A Chinese firm that owns a stone quarry in the area released Rwf 16.9m mid last month after it was told to compensate the affected resident for using powerful explosives to blast rocks, which caused damages to some of the nearby houses, and was a source of pollution because of the emitted smoke and dust.

Ndizeye, however, said that the process of paying was delayed by the residents who did not agree with what came out of the evaluation.

"The team that evaluated the destroyed properties did not share their findings with the residents. This affected us in paying them since some refused what came out of the evaluation, alleging that the compensation package was not worth their destroyed properties,” he said.

The Jabana issue has been centre stage in Gasabo since 2008 which prompted the Kigali City Advisory Council to write a warning letter to Mayor Aisa Kirabo Kacyira over her negligence in addressing the residents’ concerns. .

The Chinese firm was also warned against using powerful explosives and advised to use safe methods that are not hazardous to the residents.

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