Kilombero Evictees Urged to Claim Compensation Before June

Kilombero Evictees Urged to Claim Compensation Before June

MOROGORO, Tanzania – Residents who voluntarily relocated from Ngombo Village as part of the Kilombero Game Reserve conservation project have been urged to come forward and complete the verification process to receive their compensation before June 2025.

Speaking to journalists in Malinyi District, District Commissioner Advocate Sebastian Waryuba confirmed that the government has allocated over 6.9 billion Tanzanian shillings to compensate affected individuals.

According to Waryuba, the compensation process has made significant progress, with 998 out of 1,056 eligible households already paid. However, 58 households remain unaccounted for, as authorities have struggled to reach them via phone or mail. Additionally, of the 133 graveyard beneficiaries, 104 have received their compensation, bringing the total disbursed funds to 97.66% of the allocated amount.

Unclaimed Compensation: Last Call for Verification

Waryuba urged the remaining residents to visit Biro Village and report to the Village Executive Officer, who will assist them in verifying their details and facilitating payment.

“I urge all those from Ngombo who have yet to claim their rightful compensation to visit Biro Village for verification. The funds, authorized by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, are available and ready for collection. Both housing and graveyard compensations have been set aside, ensuring that all entitled individuals receive their dues,” Waryuba assured.

Restoring Kilombero Game Reserve: Conservation Efforts Continue

Meanwhile, the Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority (TAWA) has been working to clear abandoned structures in areas previously occupied by residents, aiming to restore the Kilombero Game Reserve to its natural state.

TAWA’s Public Relations Officer, Beatus Maganja, commended the relocated residents, describing their voluntary move as patriotic and a model for conservation efforts.

“We appreciate the cooperation of those who relocated to enable conservation activities. Their decision reflects a commitment to protecting Tanzania’s natural heritage,” said Maganja.

Residents Urge Others to Claim Their Funds

Several relocated families have already settled in neighboring villages and expressed gratitude for the government's support. Some have also called on their former neighbors who have not yet received compensation to take action before the deadline.

“We successfully moved from Ngombo to a neighboring village and have received our compensation. The process was smooth, and I urge those who haven’t collected their payments to visit the Village Executive Officer’s office in Biro as soon as possible,” said Maganga Mkumba, a former Ngombo resident now residing in Biro Village.

With the June deadline fast approaching, authorities continue to encourage those eligible to claim their funds and finalize the process before the government closes the compensation phase.