Author: IGIHE

{The new state minister in charge of Socio-economic Development in the Ministry of Local Governance (MINALOC), Cyriaque Harerimana has been advised to invest much effort in increasing districts revenues which so as to enhance people’s welfare.}

The advise was made on Monday by the outgoing state minister Vincent Munyeshyaka (now the Minister of Trade and Industry) during the handover ceremony.

“When you compare the districts’ own revenues and the amount of money the government allocates there through Local Administrative Entities Development Agency (LODA), the districts’ revenues are still low,” Munyeshyaka said.

He said that there is a need for more taxable activities which would spur the local governments’ revenues.

He said that when the government started decentralization in 2006, 28% of district’s budget was from government but today only 12% is allocated there.

Harerimana has been advised to continue with supporting community work (umuganda) activities targeting to change lives of Rwandans and responding to their problems as well as encouraging the involvement of the private sector.

Among other duties that await Harerimana is to increase model villages through attracting a wide spectrum of institutions’ involvement.

Speaking at the event, Harerimana said that he will embark on discussions with districts and identify problems and opportunities as they forge the way forward.

“We need to help districts identify their problems, and they (districts) will help us to come up with resolutions; but in the meantime, we need to conduct a study on how districts could earn more revenue,” he said adding that they could secure loans for investing in income generating activities”

The minister for Local Government, Francis Kaboneka said that Harerimana comes at a time when efforts of planning for 2050 vision are being intensified.

{At least 50 researchers & extension staff and external cooperative agronomists have successfully completed an intensive training on cultivation and processing technologies of tropical food crops. The 3-week training, held at Rubona station in Huye District from August 21 to September 08, 2017, was provided by Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences (CATAS).}

The training focused on cassava inter-planting technology, cassava fertilization technology, introduction of fine banana varieties and techniques and methods for producing high quality banana seedlings, banana high yield cultivation techniques and methods, cultivation technology of rice, high yield cultivation of corn, among other courses.

Participants to the training said the acquired skills will enable them to contribute significantly to the transformation of Rwanda’s agriculture sector.

Shaffy Niyoyita, one of the participants working with Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB), said that they have acquired new skills on inter-planting food crops on small space with high yields, and value addition of the produce.

Dr Mark Cyubahiro Bagabe, Director General of RAB, commended the initiative; adding that Rwanda will gain a lot in terms of knowledge and technology from the Chinese academy in a bid to take Rwanda’s agriculture sector to the next level.

The official also revealed that RAB will soon sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with CATAS in a bid to enhance the collaboration between the two institutions.
Mr ZHANG Liyong, the Commercial Counselor of Chinese embassy in Rwanda, reiterated the commitment of his country to partner with Rwanda to transform the agriculture sector.

“Food is number one necessity to the people. So, we’re willing to share more experience in agriculture with Rwanda,” said Mr liyong.

Over the last few years, Rwanda and china have been collaborating in the area of agriculture development; mainly through the China-Rwanda Agriculture Technology Demonstration Centre, C-RATDC, based in Huye District of Southern Province. Some of the achievements of the Center include seeds, trainings, demonstration and extension activities around high yielding seeds for rice, mushrooms (Juncao Technology), mulbery, elephant grass planting and silk-warm eggs.

{
Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) is set to auction Union Trade Center (UTC), a mall owned by tycoon Tribert Rujugiro Ayabatwa, over tax arrears.}

“All interested people are informed that RRA will auction the Union Trade Center property,” reads the announcement.

The property will be auctioned on 25th September at 2:00pm over tax arrears the owner owes the government.

The announcement says that visiting property by interested buyers will begin on 20th September 2017.

RRA says that the auction will take place where the property is located at Kiyovu cell of Nyarugenge Sector in Nyarugenge District.

In May, RRA added UTC to 14 properties that were seized by the government over tax arrears. RRA had requested UTC owner to pay the tax in 15 days and added that it was the last notice; otherwise the property would be auctioned.

However, other sources say that UTC owes government a sum of about Rwf1.2 billion, resulting from evaded taxes between 2007 and 2013, plus penalties.

{A total of 1121 youth have graduated with vocational skills in various disciplines at Iwawa Rehabilitation Center.}

The Minister for Youth, Rosemary Mbabazi requested the fresh graduates to use acquired skills in building the nation and avoid using drugs and start a new page in their lives.

The 13th intake has been advised to take better choices that will not put their lives in danger.

“In the president’s speech during the swearing-in ceremony he said that he has a pact with youth. So, the next step is your choice because you are going back in the community where you used to belong. You have acquired vocational skills that will help you” she said.

“You will encounter the same community members and these drugs are still there, but we need youth with good choices with your contribution in building the country” she advised.

She urged them to join efforts and create their own jobs and copy a leaf from their r colleagues who have already passed through the center.

Speaking on behalf of graduands, Emmanuel Nsengimana said that after completing the training, they hope to bring positive changes and enable possible development in their communities.

“Now as we graduate, we have learnt many things and acquired skills that will enable us to develop ourselves. We came here for rehabilitation because we had become drug addicts. We have undergone rehabilitation and we promise to change our life style and implement what we have learnt and ensure that we don’t take these skills for granted” he said.

The new National Industrial Research and Development Agency (NIRDA) Director General, Pichette Kampeta Sayinzoga has said that she will summon all possible initiatives to provide what Rwandans expect from them.

Kampeta who was speaking during the handover ceremony as she received instruments of office from the outgoing NIRDA Director General, Dr. Joseph Mungarulir.
said that she will collaborate with other stakeholders to work and enable the country attain the targeted industrial development.

“My opportune is that I enter this body during the setting up of the 2050 vision. We are putting in place new measures that will help us to achieve the county’s development. My responsibilities are to contributing to proper understanding and recommending appropriate strategies, through research, that will drive and lead to attainment of the country’s industrial development,” she said.

She said that the initial approaches will involve putting together qualified researchers, build their capacities, and establish competitive approaches to tackling industrial bottlenecks..

Trade and Industry minister, Vincent Munyeshyaka advised incoming leaders to understand the vision of development for them to enable the body achieve targeted industrial development.

“My advice is that we all get to have a common understanding of the industrial targets and work towards achieving them,” he advised. NIRDA was set up in 2013 replacing Institute of Science and Technological Research (IRST). It works under the ministry of Trade and Industry.

{President Paul Kagame has said that there is need for members of the judiciary to continue participating in the country’s development process through efficiency in the delivery of justice. Kagame was speaking during the opening of the 2017/2018 Judicial Year that took place in Kigali on yesterday.}

He said that the country is still treading the journey \of development which requires everyone’s effort.

“You have a big role in ensuring peace, security and your protection of the people who need justice. Our uniqueness should be showcased in justice, and justice should emphasize our uniqueness” he said.

“In this continuous fight to develop and transformation of this nation, your role as the judiciary is essential” Kagame said.

Kagame reminded lawyers, prosecutors and other justice practitioners to fight any act that undermine Rwanda’s reputation.

“Fighting corruption in our justice system should begin by holding leaders accountable, not just citizens. Justice is not just a symbolic ceremony or procedure, it is about efficient process and delivering a fair outcome” he said.