Families seek Rwf380m from SONARWA over damaged houses

The Nyarugenge Intermediate Court has opened a case in substance where 18 families that lost their properties during the construction of Kigali-Akanyaru road want the Bank of Kigali to pay them Rwf380 million from the SONARWA account.

Friday, February 08, 2013

The Nyarugenge Intermediate Court has opened a case in substance where 18 families that lost their properties during the construction of Kigali-Akanyaru road want the Bank of Kigali to pay them Rwf380 million from the SONARWA account.It all started in 2004 when SOGEA SATOM, an engineering company insured with SONARWA, was contracted to build the Kigali-Akanyaru road and was obliged to clear 44 houses while expropriating 184 people grouped in 18 families.The families’ lawyer, Jean Marie Vianney Uwamungu, told the court, yesterday that the beneficiaries ‘efforts to secure Rwf109m in compensation from SONARWA in good faith has yielded nothing’.The complainants, in 2012, won the case against the insurer and the court ordered Bank of Kigali,  which holds SONARWA accounts ,to pay the money.However, SONARWA appealed the verdict arguing that documents from the accusers were forged.The new case filed accuses the Bank of Kigali of ignoring court orders and wants court to order the bank to release the money.Apart the Rwf109 million for material damages, the families also want Rwf180 million, it means Rwf10 million per family on damages and interests arrears corresponding to 24 months. They also asked for more compensation for moral damages, which brings the total to Rwf 380 million.The ruling was scheduled to March 7, 2013 at 3pm.