Naguru, Nakawa estate project deserve support
Jul 25, 2010
THE Government has given tenants of the Nakawa and Naguru housing estates up to August to leave in order to pave way for the area’s redevelopment. It is planned that the land will be finally handed over to the developer — Opec Prime Properties by the end of September.
THE Government has given tenants of the Nakawa and Naguru housing estates up to August to leave in order to pave way for the area’s redevelopment. It is planned that the land will be finally handed over to the developer — Opec Prime Properties by the end of September.
The redevelopment of the Nakawa and Naguru estate has stalled since 2003, due to a dispute between the tenants on one hand and the Government and developers on the other. The main issue of contention is how the current tenants of the estates will benefit from the project. The tenants have sought binding guarantee from the government and the developer that they will benefit from the project.
The Government in 2007 signed a contract with Opec Prime Properties, a UK-based company, to re-develop the 138 acres of land into a modern satellite town at $300m, including the construction of low-cost houses for the resettlement of the 1,745 tenants. But the implementation of the project has hitherto been on hold due to the dispute.
As a result of President Museveni’s intervention, an agreement has been reached for the tenants to vacate the area.
This is a major project that will not only change the face of Kampala city, but will contribute to the growth of the national economy. It is unfortunate that this project, which has enormous benefits to the country, has been delayed for such a very long time.
The Government needs to establish a mechanism to ensure that disputes are promptly resolved in order not to bog down investors.
The Naguru and Nakawa estates tenants had legitimate interests in this matter. However, it is now time for them to let the implementation of the project to start.
The tenants should see the bigger picture — what will benefit the country as a whole. Such big projects, unfortunately, too often cause displacement of some people. The proper thing to do is for the Government to help resettle those who are displaced.
The redevelopment of the Nakawa and Naguru estate has stalled since 2003, due to a dispute between the tenants on one hand and the Government and developers on the other. The main issue of contention is how the current tenants of the estates will benefit from the project. The tenants have sought binding guarantee from the government and the developer that they will benefit from the project.
The Government in 2007 signed a contract with Opec Prime Properties, a UK-based company, to re-develop the 138 acres of land into a modern satellite town at $300m, including the construction of low-cost houses for the resettlement of the 1,745 tenants. But the implementation of the project has hitherto been on hold due to the dispute.
As a result of President Museveni’s intervention, an agreement has been reached for the tenants to vacate the area.
This is a major project that will not only change the face of Kampala city, but will contribute to the growth of the national economy. It is unfortunate that this project, which has enormous benefits to the country, has been delayed for such a very long time.
The Government needs to establish a mechanism to ensure that disputes are promptly resolved in order not to bog down investors.
The Naguru and Nakawa estates tenants had legitimate interests in this matter. However, it is now time for them to let the implementation of the project to start.
The tenants should see the bigger picture — what will benefit the country as a whole. Such big projects, unfortunately, too often cause displacement of some people. The proper thing to do is for the Government to help resettle those who are displaced.