The construction of a modern airport on the Copperbelt has displaced 480 farmers.

Copperbelt Permanent Secretary Elias Kamanga confirmed that more than half of the displaced farmers have already been paid.

“Government set aside K21 million to compensate displaced farmers at the new Ndola airport site and more than K14 million has been paid,” Kamanga said.

Kamanga said the farmers who received compensation were willing to move to new settlements.

Farmers earlier complained that they weren’t consulted properly about the displacement. It took the intervention of central government to assure them that they will be adequately reimbursed for making way for a modern airport in the province.

According to reports, surveyors and earth moving equipment are already in the area.

“The displaced communities were provided with alternative land to grow their food and build shelters, in addition to the cash compensation that must lead to economic improvement,” Kamanga said.

He asked farmers who have not received compensation to submit the appropriate documents to avoid further payment delays.