The formalisation of Diary, Nova and Makaravani West compounds is gaining momentum following the allocation of 100 million dollars by the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development.
 
The construction of roads, water and sewer lines will start next week.
  
Katima Mulilo Mayor Kabende Kabende explained the process.
 
 “The first step of that is the surveyors, people who will be placing pegs where the roads are passing. So, some pegs you might find that are being placed in your dwelling, please do not be alarmed. They are not there to come and take your land, but they are there to come and make markings for the contractor to come and begin the work.”
 
 Kabende stressed that the placing of the pegs will indicate to the council how many dwellings are in the road reserves.
 
The relocation process will commence after that, and compensation will be done as per the ministry's policy.
 
“You are not going to tell us that I want so much as an evaluation will be done, whether it is a shack, mud house, or brick house; there will be an evaluation, and the relocation or compensation process will begin from there.”
 
 The meeting, intended to sensitise residents about the new developments, quickly became heated.
 
 “We are part of the community organisation that halted the formalisation process. What is surprising to us is hearing that your offices are open. We engaged your offices from the first of July; that was when our first letter went to the council. On the 28th of July, that's when we got a response from the council. Mr. Muyoba and Mr. Mukendwa know that we came to their offices, and we engaged intensively with them, but to date, our problems are not being solved,” a resident, Huggins Masiye, noted.
 
 However, Acting CEO of the Katima Mulilo Town Council, Albert Sibeya, had this to say.
 
“So please, it's a plea. It's not going to be possible to say that all the questions should be answered now. We are still opening our offices from 08H00 to 17H00, so come over.”