"Compensation for JNIA Expansion Finally Begins"

Compensation for JNIA Expansion Begins After 27 Years of Waiting
Friday, February 28, 2025

• Compensation will begin this week, announced by the Tanzania Airports Authority (TAA) director-general Abdul Mombokaleo on February 26, 2025.
• Residents of Kipunguni, who were relocated nearly three decades ago for the expansion of Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA), are set to receive compensation.
• Initially, in 1997, 1,865 residents were to receive Sh7.7 billion, but after a law revision in 2016, they will now be compensated Sh143.9 billion.

The long-awaited compensation for residents displaced nearly 27 years ago due to the expansion of Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) has finally commenced. This announcement was made by Abdul Mombokaleo, the Director-General of the Tanzania Airports Authority (TAA), on February 26, 2025. He confirmed that the payments would start immediately and be issued in phases as funds are released by the government.

In the original 1997 assessment, a total of 1,865 Kipunguni residents were slated to receive Sh7.7 billion in compensation for their properties, based on the previous law that only valued houses and other assets, but not the land. However, with the amendment of the law in 2016, the total amount of compensation has dramatically increased to Sh143.9 billion, encompassing the value of land, houses, and other assets.

According to Mombokaleo, the first phase of payments will see 203 residents receiving a total of Sh20 billion. The process will begin once the necessary paperwork is completed, and further instructions will be issued for residents to vacate the area. Mombokaleo expressed his sincere sympathies to the affected individuals, acknowledging the years of waiting and assuring them that no one would be left out in the compensation process. He emphasized that the process would proceed without bureaucratic delays and urged residents to remain patient.

The compensation process is part of a larger effort to facilitate the expansion of JNIA, which is set to transform the airport from a Grade 4C to a Grade 4F airport. This upgrade will enable the airport to accommodate larger aircraft, including the Airbus A380. Currently, such planes can only land in emergencies or under special circumstances, but with the expansion, JNIA will be able to attract larger planes, which will significantly benefit the country's aviation industry.

In addition to the airport’s growth, the area surrounding JNIA will be developed into a hub for investment opportunities, including hotels, conference rooms, maintenance services, and cargo handling facilities. This will diversify revenue streams for the airport, reducing its reliance on a single source of income and providing resilience in the event of unforeseen events, such as global disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Segerea Member of Parliament, Bonnah Kamoli, spoke of the challenges residents had faced throughout the years, with numerous meetings and discussions failing to yield any results. She expressed relief that the long-standing issue was finally being addressed and commended the government for taking action. "I truly sympathize with the residents of this area for their patience. I also thank the government for resolving this issue, which has been a concern throughout my nine years in Parliament," Kamoli said.

One of the affected residents, Michael Mika, shared his relief and personal story. "For many of us, waiting for 27 years has not been easy. We were told to relocate when we were young, and now, we've grown old. It's a huge relief to finally be told that compensation will be provided," Mika said.