THE Exports Processing Zones Authority (EPZA) plans to start paying the second phase compensation to Bagamoyo residents who have to vacate the area earmarked for the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) project next Monday.

EPZA Director General Adelhelm Meru said in Dar es Salaam that the 10.4bn/- compensation to 592 people will last for seven consecutive days. "The list of all payees is ready and has been put on public notice boards in Bagamoyo for the people to see," Dr Meru said.

The 2,000 acres to be compensated under the second phase bring to over 4,000 acres available for investors under the Bagamoyo SEZ project. During the first-phase payment, the authority spent over 6bn/- to 227 residents, acquiring 2,074 acres.

EPZA envisages spending 55bn/- to acquire the 9,080 hectares for industrial development in Zinga ward, Bagamoyo district. Other areas that the authority has already evaluated and compensated their inhabitants include Benjamin William Mkapa SEZ in Dar es Salaam, Bunda in Mara and Mtwara whose compensation the Tanzania Ports Authority has footed.

However, areas for SEZ projects in Tanga, Kigoma and Songea regions have been evaluated and are awaiting payment within this financial year, according to Dr Meru. The EPZA Compensation Coordinator, Engineer Kenneth Haule, said after the compensation, the development of the area through cadastral survey, strategic environmental assessment and design infrastructure would follow.

Bagamoyo residents are optimistic that the coming in of the SEZ project will solve the problem of many unattended farms, which had turned into bushes, in the district. EPZA plans to develop Zinga area into industrial park, with booming economic and industrial activities for the development of the national economy.