Author: IGIHE

{President Paul Kagame yesterday laid a foundation stone at Rilima in Bugesera District to officially flag off construction works for Bugesera International Airport.
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In a groundbreaking ceremony that gathered officials from the government and stakeholders in the aviation sector, President Kagame reiterated the Rwandan Government’s commitment to see the Bugesera Airport completed and operational.

“We may not be big but we will always strive to be our best. Bugesera Airport is an important part of Rwanda’s strategy for socio-economic transformation. We see this facility as an essential component in boosting intra-African travel, investment and business,” President Kagame said.

In September 2016, the Government of Rwanda concluded negotiations for a Public Private Partnership transaction with Mota-Engil Africa and Aviation Travel & Logistics Holding Ltd to develop the Bugesera International Airport. The private partners will construct, own, and operate the airport under a 25-year concession agreement.

The Bugesera Airport project will be developed in five phases, the first of which kicked off yesterday. The latter is slated to take 27 months and cost an estimated US $ 400 Million.

“Rwandans to whom we are accountable are used to having high expectations and trust us to deliver. This will be no different. We look forward to celebrating the inauguration of the new airport in the not too distant future,” President Kagame vowed.

{Latest statistics released by Rwanda Revenue (RRA) indicates that the revenue collection for financial year 2016/17 has surpassed the target by Rwf 5.4 billion.
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In a statement released by the tax body on Wednesday August 9th, tax revenue collection for the financial year 2016/17 reported to be Rwf 1,086.8 billion was above the Rwf 1081.4 billion target; an impressive performance of 100.5%. The tax body revealed that tax revenue posted a growth of 10.2 per cent during this year, in comparison to 2015/16 performance of Rwf 986.7 billion hence making a nominal increase of Rwf 100.2 billion.

The Commissioner General at Rwanda Revenue Authority RRA Richard Tusabe has said that this implies the level of tax payer appreciation of the importance of paying taxes and compliance have been achieved through education and sensitization because of the reforms particularly the automation of processes to bring efficiency in tax administration in FY 2016/17.

“We introduced; Unified Declarations for PAYE and Social Security, Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking System and VAT Verification Control System, which have decreased leakages in VAT collections and eased refund process,” RRA Commissioner revealed
RRA revenue collection to budget increased from 55.36% in FY 2015/16 to 56.44% in FY 2016/17.

However, the tax authority cited a low target performance in local Government taxes.
Economic indicators in this financial year 2016/17 show the economy recorded a slow performance in first three-quarter, where real GDP grew by 5.4%, 2.4% and 1.7% for Q1, Q2, and Q3 respectively. Inflation rose to 6.8%.

With three months into the fiscal year, the slow economic performance is attributed to poor agricultural production due to bad weather. Food scarcities accounted for inflationary pressures with price indices for food and non-alcoholic beverages reaching a record 18.6%.

RRA Commissioner General expressed gratitude to the tax paying community in Rwanda for honoring their tax obligations.

{President Paul Kagame has said that he is ready to work with former presidential candidates he defeated during the recently concluded Presidential elections. He announced this on Monday in an interview with a Uganda-based NBS Television, commenting on the elections and what will happen thereafter. }

President Kagame, emerged the winner during the elections that took place between 3-4 August 2017 to win by 98.63%.

Independent candidate Mpayimana Phillippe followed with (0.73%) while Frank Habineza of Democratic Green Party got (0.47%).

The Head of State said that working with those he defeated poses no problem. He said, ‘‘I think that the place is open to everybody.”

He reiterated that there is no special issue to embark on during the seven-year term, saying that he will continue on what has been done.

“It’s a matter of continuing with what we had longed to achieve. During the first two terms, we were rebuilding our country, the economy which was in a bad shape as well as the Rwandan community which had been destroyed by bad history.”

{{‘I should have completed my work as the President’
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President Kagame explained that by now he should have completed his responsibilities as the President but he could not turn down the request of the population.

“I should have completed my work as the President this year but there emerged the requests from the population that I should continue. I was ready to conclude my duties. By the time the requests emerged, it necessitated that a criterion be followed (referendum).”

Kagame said that he felt no shame for having accepted what the citizenry had requested him, then noted, ‘‘If I say that I was inconvenienced by this article, wouldn’t be upholding what we strive for… I accepted that after hearing from different people, I am fully aware about what we encounter. The day I will leave the responsibilities of leading the country, I will continue serving it, in different capacities.”

President Kagame said that his focus is on promoting the economy and reducing poverty without leaving behind any single person.

He emphasized that he will continue to instill in Rwandans what is the most suitable for them, without waiting for any external assistance.

He gave an example of 1994, when the Genocide against the Tutsi was taking place saying that the so called friends of Rwanda left and came back after Genocide had been stopped.

He said; “Whenever problems arise, you are the one who takes the centre stage, everybody stood aloof, until it was stopped. After that is when they started coming back.”

“Whenever you hear people saying different things, they do say useless things with an intention of derailing us from what we believe in…..we don’t accomplish tasks for the purposes of being thanked; we accomplish them because they are the ones we are in need of.”

{‘Iam not ready to become the East African Community President’}

President Kagame said that the East African Community will continue to work as a team, in cooperation and in a dignified manner. However, he pointed out that if anybody tries to force others about the methods of work will be wasting his time.

He promised that security in East Africa will continue to improve, as well as cooperation among countries in the coming years.

He explained that the region is endowed with everything, for it to develop. “I can’t see any reason as to why this region can’t grow stronger within the next 10 or 15 years.”

{The cabinet has approved the agreement allowing the government to acquire a €75.9million loan from International Development Association (IDA) upgrading the Ngoma-Nyanza unpaved road that passes through three districts namely Ngoma and Bugesera (Eastern Province), and Nyanza (Southern Province). }

The project is subdivided into two lots: Lot 1: Ngoma – Ramiro (52.8 km) and Lot 2: Kibugabuga – Gasoro (66.55 km).

The loan is to be paid in 21 years at an interest rate of 2.85%.

The IDA loan has been extended for transport projects in countries surrounding Lake Victoria. US$65 million will be provided by Japan, and the government of Rwanda will provide US$23 million.

While explaining to cabinet, the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning Amb. Claver Gatete said that the loan is categorized into two phases.

Hon. Mporanyi Theobald observed that the loan will help in establishing infrastructures that will facilitate trading with Burundi, and Tanzania. However, he asked why Government opted for a loan with the very high-interest rate.

In response, Minister Gatete explained that the terms are fair. “This time, we have negotiated, that is why we have agreed upon that cost. Nevertheless, when you get the money at 2.85% interest rate and you take into consideration the 9-year period of grace, paying in a 21 year period is almost equivalent to the money we get from Exim Bank of China, because with Exim, the interest rate is 2%, and a 5 year period of grace, thereafter paying back within a 20 year period.”

{Several leaders from different nations have continued to congratulate President Paul Kagame on his re-election as Rwandan President, the latest being China and Russian governments. }

In his congratulatory message, President Xi Jinping said that China attaches much importance to the development of relations between the two countries and will continue to promote joint efforts by promoting friendly collaboration for more beneficial results to both countries. On March 17 2017, President Xi Jinping held talks at the Great Hall of the People with President Paul Kagame.

Meanwhile, Russia, in a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said that Moscow looks to the presidential election in the Republic of Rwanda to serve the further progressive advancement of Rwandan society towards stable political and socio-economic development.

Bilateral diplomatic relations between Rwanda and China were established 46 years ago.