IGIHE

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  • Rwanda Focused on Urban Planning

    Rwanda Focused on Urban Planning

    {{Rwanda is among the least urbanised countries in the world but also among the most urbanising countries where urban population has increased threefold since 1990.}}

    Presently, only 18% of the population lives in urban areas. Projections indicate that about 35% of the global population will be living in cities by 2020.

    Gatete Claver, Rwanda’s Minister of Finance and Economic Planning says, “Urbanization is a core element of our EDPRS 2, which aims to achieve accelerated growth 11.5% annually and faster poverty reduction.”

    Rwanda is currently focused on reviewing policy priorities to highlight options and outline a way forward for urbanization.

    Professor Paul Collier of Oxford University notes, “It is important to plan for urbanisation as it occurs and not when it occurs.” It is crucial to plan urbanization with the future in perspective.

    Last week During a National Forum on Sustainable Urbanization it was noted that one of the priorities identified under the economic transformation pillar of EDPRS2 is to transform the economic geography of Rwanda by facilitating urbanization and promoting secondary cities.

    “Urbanization is already happening. We want urbanization to continue to happen and we want to be pro-active about it and to manage it well. We also want to develop it in the Rwandan context,” Minister Gatete said.

    He noted that under EDPRS 2, six secondary cities had been to form a network of cities and poles of growth. They include Muhanga, Nyagatare, Rusizi, Rubavu, Musanze and Huye.

    Given Rwanda’s rising population density -416 people per square km- which is among the highest in Africa, and the fact that land is not increasing, off-farm activities, services and industry have to grow.

    Prof. Collier explains that housing infrastructure and commercial structures are the main drivers of urbanization but warned it becomes difficult and expensive to retrofit infrastructure when housing is already established.

    Rwanda wants to become a middle income country by 2020. Many of the middle income countries have gone through a structural transformation of their economies and urbanization has been a part of this.

    Accelerating urbanization requires investment and innovative financing mechanisms as the needs are huge in terms of infrastructure, housing, and other services.

    “We want to understand the importance of coordination to deliver; the role of key players; the government; both at central and local level; the private sector and the population,” Minister Gatete said.

    {new office structures bracing Kigali city skyline/photo by Kakwerere.J}

    {aerial view of settlement area/photo by Kakwerere.J}

    {new structures coming up in Kigali/photo by Kakwerere.J}

    {well planned roads are needed for a properly functioning city/photo by Kakwerere.J}

    {a busy street in Kigali/photo by Kakwerere.J}

    {such housing standards are a common sight in Kigali. Alot of efforts and planning are required to improve the city standards/photo by Kakwerere.J}

  • 200 new Passenger Buses Expected in Kigali City

    200 new Passenger Buses Expected in Kigali City

    {{In an effort to reduce long queues and meet expectations of passengers on the road, the Rwanda Federation of Transport Cooperatives (RFTC) last week dispatched 25 new buses around Kigali City. }}

    The 25 buses are part of the first phase which will see RFTC delivering a total of 40 buses by the end of March.

    According to the President of RFTC Col. Dodo Twahirwa, by the end of the year RFTC is expected to bringing 200 new buses in Kigali as far as the matter of transporting passengers is concerned.

    Kigali City Mayor, Fidele Ndayisaba said this is a good investment that will contribute to not only the improvement of transport services but also to the economic growth of the Country.

    He added that the new buses will be dispatched in areas where there is a problem of transport citing Jabana, Kinyinya, Kagugu and many suburbs of the City.

  • Burundi Students Reject Govt Ultimatum

    Burundi Students Reject Govt Ultimatum

    {{Students in Burundi have rejected demands by the government that to suspend their strikes.

    Failure to heed to the demands, government warned it would cancel the entire academic year, close all universities and arrest student’s representatives of over 17000 students in public universities.

    The government had given the students three days to be readmitted through the signing of an act of commitment to stop their strike and not claim anything.}}

    {central Bujumbura}

  • Virunga Park Oil Exploration Protested

    Virunga Park Oil Exploration Protested

    {{Protesters have taken to the streets of Goma and other parts of the country expressing their anger against government for authorising oil exploration in Virunga national park.}}

    The Virunga Park is shared amongst three countries including Rwanda, Uganda and the vast DRCongo.

    On Monday, a conference on mining and natural resources of the Congo opened in DR-Congo’s Eastern border city of Goma.

    Protestors accuse the Kinshasa government for granting British Firm to explore oil in the Virunga Park.

    Outside the conference venue, protestors carried placards with inscriptions “No to oil exploration in Virunga National Park ,” while others were Pinned-up on a roundabout in the centre of Goma.

    “I do not agree because I know the consequences of oil extraction. Those who cultivate around the lake , they will soon reap the fruits of their land , “said a protester

    DRC is currently conducting oil exploration along the shores of lake Albert shared between DRC and Uganda.

    Over seven associations opposed to oil exploration in the country are represented at the conference where they are expressing their refusal to see their habitat and livelihoods endangered by oil exploitation .

    Josue Mukura representing fishermen Vitshumbi : ” We live only fishing. And when the exploitation of oil pollutes the waters , there is decrease in fish. And when there is reduction of fish , it directly affects our social life.”

    About 7000 Fishermen have been promised a compensation worth $ 186 000.

  • Juba Drops Preconditions Ahead of Talks with Rebels

    Juba Drops Preconditions Ahead of Talks with Rebels

    {{The South Sudanese government has dropped its demand that a grouping of seven politicians who were arrested at the start of the current conflict be barred from participating in peace talks in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.}}

    On Thursday – one day before the scheduled resumption of the next round of talks – South Sudan’s ruling SPLM demanded that the East African regional bloc IGAD, who are mediating the talks, limit negotiations to the two warring factions: the SPLM and the South Sudanese army (SPLA); and the rebels – known as the SPLM/A in Opposition, which was formed in December from army defectors and disaffected politicians.

    The government accuses former vice-president turned rebel leader Riek Machar of attempting to oust president Salva Kiir in a coup, although the allegations have been repeatedly denied by all the accused.

    The government had threatened to boycott the talks over the participation of the seven senior political figures who after their release decided to form a third bloc rather than join Machar, despite having similar political grievances. However, it has since backed down after IGAD – the Intergovernmental Authority on Development – rejected its demands.

    The trial of four senior SPLM officials still on detention has begun in Juba. They have been charged with treason and plotting to overthrow the government.

    The group of seven, who are joined by Rebecca Nyandeng, the widow of SPLM founder and the party’s former chairman John Garang, will now be allowed to participate as a third bloc as they did in the previous round of talks, which produced a tenuous ceasefire deal.

    Attempts to involve South Sudanese civil society in the talks have not been welcomed by either side despite analysts warning that a successful deal will need to reflect more than just the military realities in Jonglei, Unity and Upper Nile – the states where most of the fighting has taken place.

    No official timetable has been set for the resumption of negotiations, but they are expected resume before the end of the week.

    {sudantribune}

  • Boards of Listed Firms to Have one-third as Women

    Boards of Listed Firms to Have one-third as Women

    {{Capital Markets Authority (CMA) says it is currently reviewing the Code of Corporate Governance that will among other things ensure that the issue of women representation in boards of public listed companies is legalised.}}

    Initially, the regulator wanted companies to abide by the guidelines without making it legal, but CMA Chairman Kung’u Gatabaki complained of lethargy in appointing women to the boards.

    He said the issue of men dominating boards is overdue and it was time the corporate world supports women leadership.

    “Guidelines are like verses in the Bible. The priest will come and quote a certain verse; don’t do this, don’t do that.

    But it’s still up to you to decide whether to do it or not. And that is how the Capital Markets have operated for the last 14 to 15 years,” Gatabaki said.

    He however said this is a process that will involve all stakeholders to ensure that everyone embraces the change.

    “When I initially started appealing to some companies heads to take on board at least a third of ladies as directors, they would tell me, ‘no, you don’t tell us, we will consider when to do it,” he said.

    The CMA chairman was speaking during a women’s forum on Friday organised by the Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE) in Nairobi, ahead of the International Women’s Day on Saturday.

    Gatabaki however challenged women to be daring and apply for some of the top jobs instead of shying away.

    “We embarked on revising our good corporate governance code and guess what? I picked a lady to chair that process. Because again, it’s those fine things that men ignore,” he said.

    During the event, FKE graduated 15 local women from its inaugural Female Future Program, which is designed to help prepare board-ready women to obtain corporate board roles.

    The key steps in the Female Future Program include how to manage a large audience and negotiate issues, providing leadership at the apex, managing organisations effectively and showing that leadership skills are not gender based.

    “I didn’t always plan to be a CEO because I knew the cost of leadership at that level. But it’s very satisfying to get to a position where you can lead an organisation and also open up opportunities for other women to come into managerial positions,” says FKE Chief Executive Officer Jacqueline Mugo.

    Mugo however called on men to support women leadership by viewing it as a positive change and not as being against the so called African culture.

    “As a woman you really need a very strong family support to succeed in leadership so that we don’t have a situation where most women who are rising in their careers, have to sacrifice their personal lives; either in broken marriages or a negative an impact on the children,” Mugo urged.

    capitalfm

  • Will Smith On ‘What every Woman Needs to Know’!

    Will Smith On ‘What every Woman Needs to Know’!

    {{With over 15 years of marriage under his belt, actor Will Smith dished out some marriage and relationship advice. }}

    In a recent interview, the 41 year-old actor dropped some valuable knowledge and lessons about love, marriage, and what it takes to keep your man happy:

    {{#If You Marry Your Best Friend, You’re Good}}

    Every man wants to marry his homie, Will says. A lot of women will impress them, but it’s the one they can always laugh with and be themselves with that will ultimately impress them the most.

    If you can be yourselves around each other, 100 percent of the time, and they can make you life like no one else can, you’ll never have a dull moment together.

    {{#Remind Him of What He Has}}

    When you start to feel that you’re nagging your husband to the point of no return and nothing you’re saying is getting through, Will suggests you try a new approach.

    Hold him close, look him right in the eyes, and tell him that you love him, you’re right there, and you always will be, BUT you need him to pick his socks up – right now.

    As Will puts it, it’s important to remind him that your request is coming from a good place, and what you want is a small thing in the grand scheme of things.

    {{#All Men Need A Little Space}}

    “If you don’t give your husband thirty minutes to himself when he first gets home he’ll stop coming home,” Will says, straight up. He says that a wife can say her piece “anytime after that.”

    Everyone’s home needs to feel like a happy place, and it won’t if you’re “greeted with negativity” every time you enter the door.

    {{#Focus on Balance and Excitement Always}}

    According to Will and Jada’s way of thinking about marriage, maintaining a happy union isn’t just about making time for one another, it’s about making the time count too. Excitement and mystery are everything, he said.

    Surprise them, let them know you love them, laugh together – whatever it takes to put a smile on their face.

    {internet}

  • UNAMID Says Gunmen Attack Darfur Civilians

    UNAMID Says Gunmen Attack Darfur Civilians

    {{The African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) said unidentified gunmen attacked a camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in South Darfur and a number of villages in North Darfur states forcing some 3,000 civilians to seek protection at its bases.}}

    “In Khor Abeche, on 22 March, about 300 heavily armed men attacked (an IDPs) camp, setting fire to dozens of shelters and stealing livestock belonging to the residents.

    As a result of the incident, at least 2,000 IDPs sought refuge at the UNAMID base. One IDP was reportedly killed,” said the hybrid mission in a statement released on Monday.

    On the same Saturday “hundreds of families approached UNAMID’s base in Korma and advised that Kobe town (approximately 21km north of the base) and neighbouring villages, had been attacked by armed men on 21 March”, the statement said adding one person reportedly killed.

    UNMAID further indicated that around 1,000 IDPs are now gathered around its base in Korma.

    The government has mobilised its militias particularly a group called Rapid Support Forces (RSF) which are accused of committing attacks against civilians during the ongoing anti-rebel campaign in North and South Darfur states.

    A UK based charity group SUDO-UK reported last Sunday that the RSF militiamen on the orders of vice-president Hasabo Mohamed Abdel Rahman who supervised the military campaign attacked and burnt several villages in the eastern part of Jebel Mara in North Darfur.

    “As a result (of an attack on 21 March) three children, a women and five men were killed in Deby Nayra, Dally and Nimrra villages,” the group said.

    The militiamen, on the day after, killed two villagers meanwhile two others were abducted in the same area.

    “On the same day 22nd March, the (RSF) looted around 1000 cattle that belong to Adam Abdallah Haroun from Leyia village in the east of Jebel Marra, South Darfur,” it added.

    However the head of the militia group, Gen. Mohamed Hamdan, on Monday denied the accusations saying that the RSF men who are under the command of the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) are there to protect the country and the civilians and vowed to inflect more defeats on the rebel groups.

    {sudantribune}

  • Gatsata Executive Secretary sacked for taking unfair decision

    Gatsata Executive Secretary sacked for taking unfair decision

    {Joseph Kabanda who was the Executive Secretary of Gatsata Sector in Gasabo District was suspended from his duties for having taken the decision to destroy the house of Donatha Mukafilipo, a lady to whom he had granted an authorization of rehabilitating her house.}

    The District Mayor says the Executive Secretary in question has been suspended from his duties last week.

    “He is at fault for giving the lady the right to renovate her house at the same time; he ordered the destruction of what the lady had realized.”

    It is said the lady had not complied strictly with the instructions given to her before the renovation.

    “We will continue our investigation to decide if it is faulty and that will lead to the final decision on his case, “said the Mayor adding that this unfortunate decision to destroy this house occurred on February 22nd, 2014.

  • Instagram Lists 10 Happiest African Countries

    Instagram Lists 10 Happiest African Countries

    {{Jetpac is an app that analyzes Instagram photos to create city guides by rating images under topics such as “bars women love” – giving you a real feel of places where people have been through their images.}}

    The app is now giving “smile scores” based on the incidence and strength of smiling in an Instagram photo.

    Of course “smile scores” are hardly scientific and are based on individual perceptions. Also, whether someone smiles or not depends on cultural differences and individual personality traits.

    With that being said and a grain of salt, Kenya ranked 8th happiest country in Africa on Instagram by Jetpac with a score of 18.8, whilst South Africa took the title of happiest country in Africa with 31.5 points in the smiling stakes.