The victims lost their houses and belongings some four years ago due to heavy rains that flooded the area but todate the district council has not yet allocated plots for them to build new homes.
Soon after the floods, the President visited the area and promised to offer plots to the victims. He even promised to help the victims build the houses. However, todate, none of the victims has been allocated a plot.
The President issued the directive on Sunday at a public rally in the district after the victims told him that they are yet to be given plots to construct houses.
A statement issued by the Directorate of Presidential Communication yesterday said the victims carried placards with the message that they are yet to been given the plots by the municipal council.
“It is very disappointing that my promise has not yet been fulfilled. I promised you two things in my visit here -- to offer you plots and second to help you constructing the houses. Now, let’s begin with the first,” said the President while calling on the municipal authorities to explan to wananchi about the promises.
Soon after the municipal council explained that at least 800 plots had been surveyed so far, the President directed that at least 400 plots should be set aside for the flood victims.
“Within a period of a week, from Monday (August 25, 2014) up to Friday, I want all the procedures to have been followed and each victim allocated their plot. We shall speak about the construction of houses later,” the President said.
Earlier on Sunday, the President had laid the foundation stone for electricity generating project at Msolwa in the municipality.
The project is to be established by a congregation of Stigmatine Fathers and Brothers of the Catholic Church which started working in the district in November 1989.
Dr Kikwete is on official visit in Morogoro Region.
In early February 2010, Kikwete directed Morogoro regional authorities to ensure that the over 25,000 people affected by floods in Kilosa District were assisted to lead a normal life even while still sheltered in temporary camps.
The President gave the directive while on a two-day tour of the region to inspect the extent of damage caused by floods and console the victims.
Speaking after being briefed by the regional authorities on measures taken following the floods in 2010, President Kikwete stressed the need to provide adequate care for victims and ensure that children go to school.
“I need these people to be well taken care of; to live a decent life, eat well, sleep well, get clean and safe water and proper medical care,” the President stressed.
He had also ordered the leaders to put in place and implement a long term plan to resettle the victims in their old homes.
The floods wreaked havoc after river Mkondoa broke its banks flooding 541 square kilometres, causing damage to human settlements and properties. About 25,803 people in 6,168 households were affected by the floods.
However, those sheltered at the camps todate are about 9,620 people constituting 2,464 households. Some of the victims are being taken care of by relatives while others are living in rented houses.
The President had said the country’s economy was suffering as a result of the collapsed railway line following the floods and that all efforts should be made to rehabilitate all damaged infrastructure.
He had assured the people that the government would do all within its powers to bring normal life to Kilosa District.
Kilosa was first hit by floods in 1940 during the colonial era. In 1948 dykes were built in a move to control the floods. In 1964, the area experienced yet another flood after Mkondoa River broke its banks leading to the construction of the terraces which were destroyed in the recent floods.
A total of 23,980 people were displaced by the floods, with 10,294 being accommodated in 23 make shift camps.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
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