Among those leaving offices are; two staffs of Rwanda Housing Authority in sectors of Rugarika and Musambira; executive secretaries and social affairs for economic development of both Muganza and Kabagesera sectors in Runda sector.
According to sources from the district, all officials resigned following different forensic audits and monitoring and evaluation exercises that established anomalies in the way houses in different trading centers were constructed contrary to the established master plans. A team deployed to carry out the evaluation exercise established that 500 houses were illegally constructed under the negligent eye of the officials concerned.
According to the Kamonyi vice-mayor in Charge of Social Affairs Prisca Uwamahoro, the district will soon review their resignation letters and scrutinize their performance before taking final decisions on each individual’s fate.
She said that they will expeditiously recruit new officials so that access to public services is not halted.
Methane, a principal component of farts, is a natural byproduct of digestion produced when microbes in the animal’s gut break down and ferment food.
Methane is a gas known to contribute to the greenhouse effect, which traps the heat within the Earth’s atmosphere and contributes to climate change. While carbon dioxide is often blamed for global warming, methane is actually 85 times more potent when it comes to trapping heat.
Sources of methane are varied. Some come from natural sources such as marshes and other wetlands but a bulk of methane emission comes from human activities that include cattle operations.
“We update information for cattle and swine by region, based on reported recent changes in animal body mass, feed quality and quantity, milk productivity, and management of animals and manure,” the researchers wrote in their study. “We then use this updated information to calculate new livestock methane emissions factors for enteric fermentation in cattle, and for manure management in cattle and swine.”
Previous Estimates Off By 11 Percent
Researchers of the new study made new calculations on how methane emissions from animals contribute to global warming. Taking into account the changes in the way humans use and keep livestock, they found that previous estimates that served as basis for the 2006 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, were off by 11 percent.
USDA plant physiologist Julie Wolf and colleagues reevaluated the data that were used to calculate the IPCC 2006 methane emissions estimates. These estimates were based on relatively modest rates of increase in methane emission from 2000 to 2006 but things dramatically changed after this period as methane emission increased by 10-fold over the next decade.
“In many regions, livestock numbers are changing, and breeding has resulted in larger animals with higher intakes of food,” Wolf said. “This, along with changes in livestock management, can lead to higher methane emissions.”
The study, which has been published in the journal Carbon Balance and Management, also showed that methane is responsible for about 16 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions in 2006. Besides cattle operations, other human activities such as the production and transport of oil, coal and gas, as well as the decay of organic waste contribute to methane emissions.
Source: Techtimes.com
The RRA Commissioner for customs, Raphael Tugirumuremyi said that taxpayers and the general public should be aware of the move which aims at improving services delivery.
“From today, services from this border will be available 24 hours, seven days. Both government and private institutions will always be available. So, this will spur trading between both countries and the region in general,” he said.
“This is the passageway for merchandise in transit to the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi, so we need quick services delivery for all border users,” he added.
Tugirumuremyi continues to explain that traders that were incurring losses due to longer dwelling time on the border as they await clearance will get better and faster services, spend less and build their businesses. Ahommad Haruna Cyiza, a truck driver said that they used to spend many hours waiting for customs clearance which is most likely to be eased with the new facility and restructured operations.
“There are times when trucks were many at the border, at others when it was closed and you had to wait amidst a squeezed parking space. This was the only remaining border closing during the night, so, we are happy for the new changes,” he said.
Previously, Rusumo One Stop Border Post used to operate 16 hours, from 7:00am to 10:00pm
The Tanzania Revenue Authority Commissioner of customs, George Israel Mnyitafu said that both countries should be monitoring to ensure new changes address the existing operational challenges and ease the environment of doing business.
According to RRA, before opening the One Stop Border Post, trucks used to spend four hours waiting for customs clearance, compared to the current dwelling time of 30 minutes to two hours.
The strategic tie-up signals interoperability on a cross border level and potentially huge gains as it affords consumers with the ability to use their mobile phone to directly access the funds in their bank accounts to pay person-to-merchant (P2M) or person-to-person (P2P)
Ecobank Scan+Pay with mVisa delivers instant, secure cashless payment for goods and services by allowing customers to scan a QR code on a smartphone or enter a unique merchant identifying code into either a feature phone or smartphone.
The payment goes straight from the consumer’s bank accountinto the merchant’s account and provides real-time notification to both parties. This serves to acceleratedigital commerce and combat some of the challenges merchants have faced using traditional point ofsale systems, including the cost of installation coupled with the requirement of electricity and internet connectivity.
Ecobank mVisa solutions also enable customers to send money instantly to any Visa cardholder worldwide. This is a major innovation that serves the need of Africans in the diaspora by enabling them to simply link their Visa card to the Ecobank unified mobile app to send money home to another Visa cardholder quickly and securely.
“We are fulfilling our commitment to give every African the right to participate effectively in the global economy at an affordable price and in a convenient manner. Ecobank Scan+Pay with mVisa helps merchants particularly small and micro merchants to grow their sales without the risks of carrying cash whilst also giving consumers the ability to pay for goods and services in a cashless manner from their phones. Consumers can also conduct person-to-person payments and instantly transfer money to their friends and family via their phones at very low cost,” said Ecobank Chief Executive Officer Ade Ayeyemi.
The partnership demonstrates both Ecobank and Visa’s continued commitment to provide financialservices to the banked and unbanked in Africa by leveraging digital platforms to offer convenient and affordable payment mechanisms.
Andrew Torre, President for Visa Sub-Saharan Africa said, “We are glad to partner with Ecobank to bring mVisa into the market, a mobile payment solution with real benefits to drive digital transformation backed by advantages of Visa’s global network security, reliability and global acceptance, allowing consumers to make payments both domestically and internationally”
Patrick Akinwuntan, Ecobank Group Executive Consumer Banking, pointed out that the Ecobank mVisa solutions rollout significantly strengthens the banks person-to person payments capabilities.
“Bringing this added functionality on our Ecobank mobile app connects families in Africa by delivering needed funds instantly anywhere, anytime. That’s real value to our customers,” he said.
The relief fund will aid families whose needs were identified by the Government of Rwanda’s Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs (MIDIMAR).
The aid was provided to World Vision to assist the Government of Rwanda in delivering emergency relief supplies for 5,000 households with items such as jerry cans and hygiene products.
The start of Rwanda’s second rainy season has been marked by heavy rain storms that have caused flooding, the destruction of housing, crops, bridges, and loss of life.
According to MIDIMAR, at least five people were killed and 5,461 houses destroyed or damaged since the beginning of September.
Preliminary information has indicated that the most affected districts are: Gicumbi, Ngoma, Gatsibo, Rwamagana, Gisagara, Huye, Rubavu, Rusizi, and Nyamasheke.
Other items destroyed were roads, livestock, water supply pipelines, electrical lines, schools and churches.
According to U.S embassy in Rwanda, given the strong partnership between the United States and the Government of Rwanda and its people, and the impact of the disaster on very poor individuals, U.S. Ambassador Erica Barks-Ruggles has committed to mobilization of resources to assist the victims.
All eight Rwandans graduated in a group of 47 students from 21 African Countries graduated in the second graduating class PAUWES’ both tracks of its two Master programmes (Engineering and Policy) on Thursday 28th 2017
Four students graduated with masters in water sciences and others mastered in Energy sciences
Those mastered in water sciences are Jean Marie Pascal Kwisanga, Anthere Bizimana; Josiane Aboniyo and Diana Umulisa while in energy sciences are Colette Abimana, Gemma Ituze, Jean d’Amour Mwongereza and Michel Rwema
In the ceremony, the graduating students and their guests were addressed by official representatives of the Algerian government and dignitaries from across Africa and Europe, including Her Excellency Prof. Sarah Anyang Agbor, the new African Union Commissioner for Human Resources, Science and Technology, Tahar Hadjar, the Algerian Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and His Excellency Michael Zenner, the German Ambassador to Algeria (Germany is the partner of the project).
This year’s graduating students willjoin the next generation of African engineers and policymakers committed to addressing the burning issues critical to Africa’s sustainable development.
They have not only successfully completed their coursework requirements, but have conducted practice-oriented research for their master theses based on a multitude of case studies that address the water, energy, and climate-related challenges Africa is currently facing.
In order to gain a trans-continental perspective of those same challenges, students have also completed international internships in the private and public sectors at renowned research institutions cross Africa and beyond.
Besides focusing on their studies, students of the Class of 2017with the support of PAUWES, launched the first-student-lead clubs, the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Club and the Community of Practice (CoP), which have contributed to the overall sense of community and leadership that the institute strives to promote.
Moreover, this cohort of graduating students represents and fulfills one of the key objectives of the Pan African University (PAU) and PAUWESwhich is to foster anAfrican learning environment of the most qualified and motivated scholars while revitalizing and nurturing the quality of African higher education.
Not only are 21 African Union member states and eleven female students represented in the Class of 2017, but this diverse cohort of students have had the opportunity to study alongside an international faculty of over 100 professors and researchers from across Africa and the rest of the world.
Supported by PAUWES, the University of Tlemcen and PAUWES’ key thematic partner, Germany,the university is confident that students of the Class of 2017 are well positioned to become leaders in public administration, policy-making, research, technology, private enterprise, and civil society.
PAUWES will receive new cohort of 70 students from 31 African countries to join the new class year of 2019
Speaking to the congregation, former genocide perpetrators said that they were relieved from shame of crimes they committed against humanity.
Gratien Nyaminani said that seeking for forgiveness helped him fully re-integrate into the society. “I asked for forgiveness from God and Rwandan community. I’m well integrated in the society. We now unconditionally share with other members of the community,” he said.
Bertha Yamfashije, a genocide survivor whose husband was killed by Nyaminani affirmed that she was relieved from sorrow.
“As the government forgave genocide perpetrators, we were also convinced to move forward and forgive them individually. Before approaching me for forgiveness, none could greet another,” she said adding that today they live in harmony.
The Executive Secretary for the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission (NURC), Fidèle Ndayisaba said that forgiveness is a good approach to building sustainable peace.
This year we are looking for start-ups focusing on Enhancing Marriott Hotels’ guest experience.
Seed and early stage start-ups within the above category are welcome. We expect the entries to be ready to pilot within a live hotel environment.
{{“0 cash; 0 equity; 100% opportunity”}}
TestBED is a unique accelerator; we do not offer start-ups cash, nor do we ask for equity. We provide start-ups with an invaluable opportunity to test their products for 10 weeks within an operating Marriott Hotel across Middle East and Africa. During this period, start-ups will be able to receive feedback from Marriott guests and associates to help develop their product.
In addition, TestBED offers participating start-ups:
– A marketing training programme, tailored to their needs, provided by industry
leaders
– Mentoring from a range of experts from Marriott Hotels
– Global exposure through Marriott Hotels’ marketing and media
The TestBED accelerator programme lasts 10 weeks. During this time, start-ups will not be required to relocate their operations. However, participants may be required to travel, as most of this period will be spent within a Marriott Hotel in the Middle East or Africa to pilot their products.
Participants will also be expected to attend TestBED’s 1-day pitch and 3-day boot-camp in the UAE.
Start-ups are encouraged to make the most of the pilot period within their designated hotel.
Through his twitter account yesterday, Kagame recognized and appreciated the bravery of liberators that took up arms to fight dictatorship 27 years ago.
“27 years on, this day changed the life of every Rwandese and Country in the most fundamental way. Thanks to the ones who gave their all for it!!!” reads the tweet.
Kagame tasked youth to understand what happened and play their role in enhancing en development.
“We will never let it be in vain! The young women and men of Rwanda hear that and do your part!! Salutations to you all,” he advised.
The liberation struggle was led by the Rwanda Patriotic Front/Army with an onset launch of war on 1st October 1990, ending despotism and genocide against the Tutsi on 7th July 1994.
In total are ten houses constructed in four-in-one housing units worth Rwf1,042,557,619
Francoise Niyonsaba, a beneficiary in the village said that she was pleased with the support.
“I’m very happy to be among beneficiaries of these houses; I had nowhere to live so just had to always rent in Nyamirambo. I’m relieved of rent,” she said.
The Minister of State for Community Development and Social Affairs, Dr. Alvera Mukabaramba urged beneficiaries on taking good care of the houses.
“This project is among government programmes aimed at providing good shelter to its population by, especially bringing the poorest in the loop. We urge you to own and maintain them,” she said.
She added that the programme helps Rwandans live in safe place, but also helps the country to save land for more development activities.
“We encourage more people to come and construct in this village as they relocate from high risk zones,” she added.
Nyarugenge District mayor, Kayisime Nzaramba said that the houses were given to genocide survivors and poor people who had been living in high risk zones.
