In a press conference yesterday, the State Minister for Transport in MININFRA, Jean de Dieu Uwihanganye said that repairs are underway.
Since one side of the road was damaged on Sunday, police requested heavy truck drivers to or from Uganda to use Kagitumba-Kigali road in Eastern Rwanda.
Currently, the road is being used by light vehicles and passengers’ buses.
Uwihanganye explained that road repair works started immediately to allow for quick restoration of traffic flow.
“I’ve just come from the scene; and reconstruction activities have started. Machinery and technicians are in place. By Monday the road will be accessible to all vehicles,” he said.
In the conference, the Minister of Infrastructure, Amb. Claver Gatete revealed that the government needs Rwf24 billion to repair infrastructures that have been damaged by heavy rains in the last seven months.
He said among the damaged infrastructures are; electricity poles, residential houses, roads and bridges among others.
Gatete was speaking yesterday in a press conference that revolved around the damage of Gatuna-Gicumbi-Kigali road and the process to restore normal traffic flow.
He said government assessment has established that repairs to damaged infrastructures will cost the government a total of Rwf24 billion.
“We assessed all damages and established that since we started experiencing heavy rains in November last year, infrastructures have been damaged and their rehabilitation activities will cost government Rwf24 billion. Facilities that require rehabilitation include; electricity infrastructures, building houses for families whose shelters were destroyed by the disasters,” he explained.
“We are mobilizing the funds; but the process does not stop with activities related to these infrastructures. People are being supported and roads are being rehabilitated, the activities are being done as we also prepare for the next rain seasons,” he added.
He said that over Rwf5 billion will be allocated to activities which need direct intervention like supporting people who have been affected by disasters.
The government needs Rwf9 billion to repair national roads and Rwf13 billion for feeder roads and bridges.
The 63km road will link Rulindo and Burera Districts and will be connected with that from Musanze District to Cyanika Boarder Post.
Speaking at the signing ceremony yesterday in Kigali, the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana said that the road will ease business in the region, transportation and tourism.
“It will help us in transportation of goods, business and the flow of people. There are development activities that will use the road, like Butaro Hospital. In the region, there is construction of Global Health Equity (UGHE), it will be easy for people who will need these services,” he explained.
The road is also expected to facilitate tourists visiting touristic sites in Burera District and business people in cross-border trade.
Exim Bank Regional Head, Tarun Sharma who was representing the Government of India in the signing ceremony said that his government is proud of continued contribution to the development and welfare of Rwandans through project financing.
“We are happy to sign this loan; the vital subject for us is that all projects lead to the economic development and welfare of Rwandans. Project selection in Rwanda started from energy, agriculture, vocational skills and today is transportation,” he explained.
Base-Butaro-Kidaho construction works had started, but, the country continued to mobilise funding for finalization.
The State Minister in charge of transport in the Ministry of Infrastructure, Jean de Dieu Uwihanganye said that after getting financial means, the next step is to look for a contractor so that construction works will start in November 2018, to be implemented in a period of two years.
The loan recovery will take 25 years at an interest rate of 1.5%. Loan repayment will commence in five years.
Uwizeye said this on Tuesday while speaking to the media shortly after the discussions with Parliamentary National Budget and Patrimony Committee on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2018/2019 and Budget Framework Paper 2018/2019-2020/2021 with Parliamentary National Budget and Patrimony Committee on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2018/2019 and Budget Framework Paper 2018/2019-2020/2021
Kagame pledged different activities to people including roads, hospitals, and industries among other infrastructure.
Uwizeye said that since 2010, Kagame made a total of 312 pledges. Currently, a total of 248 have been implemented, 45 are under underway while 19 are yet to start.
She said that financial constraints hamper quick implementation of presidential pledges, but noted that they give them particular consideration.
“Pledges by president which are yet to be implemented were delayed by country’s modest financial means. There are many things which need money, but, we do our best to prioritise those pledges. When they are not attained in such fiscal year, we do our best to accomplish them in the following year,” she explained.
“The majority of 19 remaining pledges are in next fiscal year, the few remaining are caused by financial means, but we keep them in mind. We wish that they will all be completed in 2019-2020 fiscal year,” she added.
Worth Rwf1 billion, construction works for the facility was completed in November last year and official inauguration ceremony took place yesterday.
The launch of the facility coincided with the launch of the Integrated Maternal-Child Health Week which focuses on hygiene and nutrition.
Speaking at the event, Minister Gashumba said that the government has embarked on construction of health facilities near people, so as to avoid travelling long journey seeking health services.
Gashumba is optimistic that the facility will help reducing maternal and neonatal deaths.
“This facility is equipped with new materials for neonatal and maternal wards services, we believe that when medics serve with commitment and embrace good services delivery, the facility and materials will help reducing maternal deaths,” she said.
The facility has 100 patient beds and well-equipped room for premature babies.
Gisenyi Hospital Director, Lt Col Dr. William Kanyankore said that the facility will help reduce congestion in maternal wards.
“On a daily basis we receive less than 20 expectant mothers, those who undergo natural birth get discharged the same day, but those who endure C-section can spend five days, so as this facility is capable to receive 100 patients, we will no longer get challenged with space issues,” he explained.
In the hospital, patients have been so long claiming the shortage of patients’ beds.
The landslides caused by the recurrent heavy rains took place on Sunday in Cyumba Sector of Gicumbi District and one side of the road has been extremely damaged.
In a statement on Twitter, Police requested heavy truck drivers to temporarily use the Kagitumba route in Eastern Rwanda.
“Due to continued landslides that are affecting the road Gatuna – Gicumbi – Kigali, all heavy trucks to and from Uganda-Kigali via Gatuna are requested to temporarily use the Kagitumba route. Please bear with the inconvenience as construction works begin,” reads a Police announcement.
Speaking to IGIHE, Gicumbi District mayor, Juvénal Mudaheranwa said that on Monday, the Rwanda Transport Development Agency (RTDA) officials and those from local construction company, Horizon, visited the scene to assess damage and intervention.
“They visited the scene and established what is needed to expand the side that was not highly affected so that they allow the flow of vehicles,” he explained.
Speaking last week in a press conference, Prime Minister, Dr. Edouard Ngirente said that the recurrent disasters affected different infrastructures across the country.
He said that the government has embarked on repairing damages and 25 national roads that had been damaged were rehabilitated among others.
The village is part of the government effort to address challenges that emanate from disasters that continue to rage across the country, destroying property and claiming lives.
On Sunday, different cabinet ministers including, Minister of Infrastructure Amb. Claver Gatete, Local Government Minister, Francis Kaboneka, Defence Minister, Gen. James Kabarebe and Education Minister, Dr. Eugène Mutimura among other government officials visited sites to inspect the construction works of the village.
Speaking at the village, Minister Gatete said that the government does not want to see people being killed by disasters, a reason why they are working hard to relocate them from high risk zones.
“Construction works are underway and hopefully they will meet the deadline so as to avoid disaster risks. The government does not want to see people dying of disasters, a reason why we established this activity which would lead to enhancing welfare of the people,” he said.
He said that the village will have all necessary infrastructure including water, electricity, school and health center among others. People will also get land to grow food.
The village is being constructed by Reserve Force. The Force Commander, Gen. Fred Ibingira said that construction works will be completed in June 2018.
The houses in the village are constructed in four-in-one model and construction activities started in February last year.
Until yesterday, Nyabihu District had no local district leadership following last week resignation of former Mayor Théoneste Uwanzwenuwe and vice-mayor in charge of social affairs, Clarisse Mukansanga.
Uwanzwenuwe resignation followed the March resignation of Vice-mayor in charge of Finance and Economic Development, Antoine Mugwiza and April resignation of the District Executive Secretary, James Ngabo.
On Monday, Musabimana who has been a member of the district council was elected by council members with 21 votes representing 95.5% out of 22.
She had been competing with Jean Marie Vianney Ntirugirimbabazi who is also the Public Sector Federation (PSF) Chairperson in Nyabihu.
Musabimana has been a primary head teacher at Groupe Scholaire Rega ADEPR in Jenda Sector.
The electoral law states that when there is no executive committee, the district council appoints interim leadership for the period not exceeding 90 days.
The suspects are; the Director of Planning and Budget, Faustin Mutambuka and Province Technician, Olivier Mutuyimana.
The Rwanda Investigation Bureau Spokesperson, Modeste Mbabazi told IGIHE that on the document was message inciting people to hate the government.
“There are documents spreading messages of hate with intention to cultivate enmity among the people towards the government. They were found in the office of the Director of Planning and Budget on Friday. Five staffers operating from that office had been arrested the same day, but currently two of them are under investigation,” he explained.
However, Mbabazi did not want to reveal the details in the documents saying that there are still under investigation.
Artticle 463 of the penal code says that any person who, by speeches held in meetings or public places, or writings, images or emblems, any posters, sold or on sale or displayed to the public, knowingly spreads rumours, excites the population against established Government, or incites or attempts to incite citizens against each other or attempts to alarm the population with intention to cause trouble on the national territory of the Republic of Rwanda, shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of ten (10) years to fifteen (15) years.
Today, Kizito appeared in the court with Jean Paul Dukuzumuremyi as the co-accused Cassien Ntamuhanga escaped prison.
In the court, Kizito was Clad in inmates uniform, red shoes, white socks, watch and Rosary on his right arm.
The presiding judge expressed two challenges, one was that the co-accused Cassien Ntamuhanga escaped prison and the second is that Dukuzumuremyi had no lawyer.
About the challenges, Kizito requested the presiding judge to separate his case file from that of the co-accused saying that they have no big connection in charges.
He insisted that their hearing process is different, as he pleaded guilty of the charges yet others pleaded not guilty.
Kizito’s Counsel Antoinette Mukamusoni said that on the concern that Dukuzumuremyi had no advocate, it would not be guaranteed as to when he will get one since he appealed in 2015 and had ample time to seek for one who he hasn’t got to date. She said that he did not write to Rwanda Bar Association requesting an advocate.
For Ntamuhanga who escaped, Mukamusoni said that his case would be separated from others since he committed another separate crime.
“For Kizito Mihigo’s side, we were thirsty for this date because we need justice,” she said.
On why he has no advocate, Dukuzumuremyi said that he submitted his appeal decision when he was in Gasabo prison, he was later moved to Rwamagana based Prison and now is in Rubavu based prison.
Due to the moving process, he said that he didn’t know whether his appeal was due for hearing, and was told about the hearing date when he didn’t even know whether his application was endorsed.
“I was caught unawares about the hearing date. I request the court a short time to seek an advocate,” he requested.
The prosecution side represented by Faustin Nkusi among others requested the presiding judge to annul Ntamuhanga’s appeal saying that it is stipulated by law when the defendant misses the hearing over no reasons.
The prosecution side rejected hearing separation of case files of Kizito and accomplices saying they’re connected, no matter the magnitude.
For Dukuzumuremyi, the prosecution said that he has rights for an advocate and admitted that he would be given time to seek defense lawyer services.
The presiding judge adjourned hearing to June 11th 2018 for Dumukuzumuremyi to be able to find an advocate.
The presiding judge annulled Ntamuhanga’s appeal decision saying that escaping the prison meant that he had no interest in following his appeal.
On case file separation, the presiding judge said that as Kizito admits to a connection with accomplices, separation of hearing would not serve the interests of justice. The case file was kept as one.
On February 27th 2015, the High Court in Kigali found Kizito guilty of the crimes of formation of a criminal gang, conspiracy against the established government or the President of the Republic and conspiracy to murder. However, the court did not find sufficient proof implicating him on the crime of complicity in a terrorist act.
