Mbagala military bomb blast victims want Kikwete to expedite compensation review

By James Kandoya

Victims of the Mbagala bomb blast are calling on President Jakaya Kikwete to speed up the review of their compensation to expedite disbursing of the funds and finally allow them to begin the journey to recovery almost half a decade later.

Chairperson of the bomb blast victims group, Steven Gimonge, told journalist yesterday in Dar es Salaam that during their last meeting with the President Kikwete promised to review the payments and speed up the process.

“It is now four years since our houses were damaged and we are still living under the mercy of the elements …many fall sick and others have contracted diseases,” he said discrediting an earlier payment they had received as ‘insufficient’.

Gimonge explained that the amount they received was not adequate because ‘officials tasked to make the valuation for our due compensation miscalculated the value’.
According to Gimonge they are now afraid how their families will live in that situation especially during rain season which is now approaching.

At least 86 people died and more than 2000 people were injured and 1361 were left homeless when bombs exploded at a military ammunition warehouse in Mbagala four years ago in 2009. The government pledged to compensate their houses and properties and did give out a preliminary amount but is yet to finalise the requested review and increase the compensation.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN