THE TRUTH ABOUT THE BUFFERZONE FACT CHECK
FACT CHECK
Question: Has any part of the Buffer Zone been allocated?
Answer: This statement is totally false! No parts of the Bufferzone have been allocated to any entity. Longian Road and Bridge Company is only stationing its road construction machinery in a small, empty area of the buffer zone. This area is separate from the one currently used by the youths and has not been utilized. Longian is using this space temporarily during the construction of roads in the municipality. Additionally, it is important to note that the council does not have the authority to allocate land without the Ministry of Lands’ approval. A similar arrangement is in place at the Bakau Community Centre, where a portion of the space is being used by the company to construct the Bakau Drainage System.
Question: Has KMC taken the Children’s Playground at the Bufferzone and given it to vendors?
In 2017, during the construction of the Latrikunda Sabiji Market, hundreds of vendors’ stalls were demolished and temporarily relocated to the children’s play area at the buffer zone. After the market was completed, the vendors could not fit into the new structures. Demolishing the current structures would cause massive unemployment and destroy livelihoods. To address this, KMC is striving to build new markets to relocate the vendors. Meanwhile, KMC has constructed a new playground with a complementary football field at the children’s center located at the buffer zone. This new center will be opened in a couple of weeks. Additionally, KMC is sensitive to space under its control and is doing all it can to protect what belongs to the public. For instance, the Youth Monument, which was leased to Gamcel, is now brought back under the council’s total control.
Conclusion: We urge all community members to refrain from spreading false news and to source information directly from the council. The projects undertaken by the council, especially the construction of roads, aim to improve the quality of life for our residents.
Signed: Admin
