Relocation will be voluntarily: Official

Addis Ababa, July 18 (WIC) – Chairperson of Maicha Kebele, where the Welkait sugar project being developed, said relocations of households will be carried out based on the consent of the residents.

Assefa Tsehay, Chairperson of Maicha Kebele in Tigray State, told WIC that the federal government and State officials have held discussion with the residents on the benefit of the project and proposed resettlement site.

Consequently, the households have chosen Korarit as the appropriate site and agreed to voluntarily resettle with the necessary relocation compensation, he said.

Some 945 households from Etano, May Hargets and partially from May Dima villages in Maicha Kebele will be relocated soon after basic infrastructures are fulfilled, Assefa said.

Currently, the Kebele administration is working closely with officials from the federal and regional governments as well as pertinent bodies on the realization of the relocation program, he said.

Resident of the Kebele, Welday Fisseha, on his part underscored the significance of the project in changing the livelihoods of residents of the area.

He said the project is a good opportunity for the dwellers to diversify their income sources and bring sustainable development in the area in general.