The contents of an article published in the The New Times issue of 3rd November 2011 titled “Kigali residents decry illegal charges” to construct Cell offices, classrooms, FARG, Health Insurance in exchange for services is misleading.
The article contains misleading allegations that the population is charged extra money in exchange for services.
The City of Kigali wishes to inform the public that no local leader is allowed to charge extra fees in exchange for services to be rendered and whoever is found to have done that will be punished.
Furthermore, no construction works for Karuruma Cell in Gatsata Sector and in Nyarutarama Cell offices are taking place as mentioned in the said article.
The contributions to FARG mentioned in the article, no longer exist following the new law governing FARG passed in 2009. It is fully financed by the national budget.
In order to improve service delivery, Kigali City has put in place a clients’ charter that governs service delivery during acquisition of land documents and construction permits.
We are presently developing a client charter that will guide other services to the residents and visitors to Kigali city.
Kigali City appreciates efforts by its residents in contributing to socio economic development programs in which they willingly support the national budget by rendering their efforts through construction of classrooms, decent shelter for vulnerable families and the one cow per family program.
Efforts of the city residents are witnessed when they volunteer labour in terms of umuganda or contribute money through community solidarity funds.
Case in point is the inauguration on 3rd November 2011 of the 12 years basic education classrooms at Jabana and Kanyinya sectors by the City Mayor and the Leadership of Gasabo District.
The classrooms were constructed with the support from government and efforts by residents. During the inauguration, residents of the two sectors were celebrating their contribution to development of their community.
Residents of Amakawa Village that voluntarily contributed over Rwf 1M were awarded with a certificate of recognition for their selfless initiative.
Also recognised were Kabuye Sugar Works which consttructed five class rooms and Phoenix Metal Limited which contributed over 10 million Rwandan Francs to support community initiatives.
The contribution of over two million francs worth of iron sheets was made by residents of Gisozi sector aimed at supporting their neighbours of Jabana sector.
These and many other initiatives show how the people can work togather and create synergies to drive local development.
They also explain why the 3 Districts of City of Kigali (Gasabo, Kicukiro and Nyarugenge) are among the first four top performers in the whole country in classroom construction for nine and twelve years basic education.
The Writer is,
Spokesperson of the City of Kigali
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