BUGESERA -Compensation for residents set to be displaced by the construction of the proposed new Bugesera International Airport will begin in October.

The construction will be carried out in phases through 2013 to 2025 at a cost of USD 700.000.000.

This was revealed by Dr. Alex Nzahabwanimana, the State Minister in the Ministry of Infrastructure in charge of Transport, Wednesday, while addressing hundreds of families that will be relocated, to pave way for the airport construction.

At least 137 families with 700 people are expected to be evicted.

The Minister told Bugesera residents that the airport will benefit them in many socio-economic ways.

He emphasized that the district was privileged to accommodate local and international guests that offer extraordinary opportunity for economic development.

"Animal products, crops, hotels, etc, will get a market just at the door steps...it is up to the people of Bugesera to tap the opportunities. If they don’t, they will have themselves to blame,” he said.

Mayor Louis Rwagaju, said that residents to be relocated were sensitized enough to settle elsewhere and their new settlements were already mapped.

"Expropriation work will start in October... people will be compensated thereafter and relocated accordingly. The affected people were sensitized and will be helped to successfully settle in other areas of the district,” he said.

Damascene Habiyakare, one of those to be relocated, said that most families have been waiting for news of the compensation date.

"From the day the airport story came up, we knew we had to move...so we have been living in this kind of dilemma for long. That they will start a process of compensating us is good news to hear,” he said.

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