Matongo residents demand fair property valuation as Barrick's North Mara mine expands
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Residents of Matongo Village in Tanzania's Mara Region say land, houses and trees must be properly valued before areas are surrendered to Barrick's North Mara Gold Mine, and want alternative land for families forced to relocate.
Residents of Matongo Village in Tanzania's Mara Region have called for a fair and transparent valuation of their properties, saying they expect compensation that reflects the value of assets that may be affected by activities linked to the Barrick North Mara Gold Mine.
Residents of the Nyamilama and Masangula hamlets said land, houses, trees and other property should be properly identified and valued before affected areas are surrendered for mining activities. Nyamilama resident Pius Ijukaine, who owns a farm planted with eucalyptus trees, said his property had already been reached by the valuation exercise and asked that the process be carried out accurately, adding that he expected his trees to be included because they form part of his property and support his family's livelihood. He also called on Barrick North Mara to consider providing alternative land for residents who may have to relocate.
Fellow Nyamilama resident Elias Daniel said his property contains eucalyptus and mango trees that he expects to be identified and valued, noting that many residents depend on their land for farming and other income-generating activities. In Masangula, resident Zubeida Saidi asked the mine to give compensation that matches the value of the land being surrendered and said families also needed clear information on how assets would be valued and how payments would be made.
Nyamilama hamlet chairman Wambura Chacha said residents expected compensation to reflect the actual value of their land and other property, and that involving residents at different stages of the process would improve understanding and help prevent grievances. He urged residents to comply with a government directive against undertaking new construction or related activities in the affected areas while the valuation continues, and to cooperate with local leaders and valuation experts.
Residents said regular communication among affected families, local leaders and those overseeing the exercise would be important in addressing concerns before they escalate into disputes. Their main expectation, they said, is a transparent valuation that recognises the value of their land and assets and ensures those who eventually relocate are adequately compensated to rebuild their lives elsewhere.