Kabarebe was speaking Friday while launching the RDF Citizen Outreach Programme in Nyabihu.
In the district, Kabarebe joined residents in planting Irish potatoes on the surface of eight hectares of consolidated land and 20 hectares for seeds multiplication in Muringa Sector of Nyabihu Ditrict.
The president of COIBAMU Cooperative hailed the programme saying that they expect Rwf150 million of profit from the partnership with army-led activities.
“We are happy to welcome these activities in Muringa Sector. This is a big opportunity from which we expect to harvest 500 metric tonnes valued at Rwf150 million,” he said.
Defence Minister Kabarebe said that the army and the government in general strive for welfare of people through food security.
“Rwandan army has the responsibilities of people’s development and ensuring national security. When people are starving and are unable to pay for health insurance (Mutuelle de sante), it means they do not have security; when people are wallowing in poverty, it means they don’t have security. Security goes beyond fighting the enemy,” he explained.
“That is why in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, we came to partner with this cooperative to increase production so that they will serve the market. They will be able to pay children’s school fees and health insurance as well as doing other income generating activities. That is the real security and peace of the country which Rwandan army wants people to enjoy,” he said.
This year’s RDF Citizen Outreach Programme which will last until July will provide free medical services to 113,000 patients, construct 1,961 houses, 121 classrooms and 108 school pit latrines for the vulnerable in selected areas, improve health and sanitation and conducting agricultural activities on 4,511 hectares of land.
Leave a Reply