Rubavu district vice mayor for social affairs, Pacifique Ishimwe has explained that executive secretaries who submitted resignations have been characterized by poor performance.
“Seven cell executive secretaries have submitted resignations citing failure to implement COVID-19 containment measures. On another note, they have been demonstrating incompetence and had received warnings at different times before taking the decision,” he said.
The inauguration that took place on Monday 5th July 2021 was graced by Governor of Southern Province, Alice Kayitesi along with other officials and members of the private sector from Nyanza district.
The business center workshop located in Gihisi village, Kavumu cell of Busasamana sector hosts over 400 people of different crafts expected to create more jobs.
The center is made of seven sections including garment manufacturing plant, carpentry, plumbing, market and exhibition area as well restaurant and health post.
Carpentry, plumbing are among activities that have started while machinery for the garment factory have been imported as the plant gets ready to begin operations in the near future.
The mayor of Nyanza district, Erasme Ntazinda has said that the business workshop center is expected to promote employment.
“Residents previously had a confined workshop for different crafts. The new business center workshop has ample space facilitating smooth operations and people desirous to learn new skills,” he said.
The Governor of Southern Province, Alice Kayitesi has said that the workshop will promote investment and enhance quality of equipment.
“The center is expected to create jobs, promote Made in Rwanda and trade in general,” she stressed.
Kayitesi urged business people at the workshop to properly maintain infrastructures made available and continue adhering to health guidelines to contain the transmission of COVID-19.
Akimana Hyacinthe, one of carpenters at the workshop has told IGIHE that the new infrastructure provides opportunities to yield big.
“I make cupboards, beds among other furniture made of wood. The former workshop was not smart but the new one has ample space and built in a modern way that facilitates smooth activities. With the favorable environment, I feel motivated to work hard, improve productivity and generate bigger returns,” she revealed.
The delegation comes to Rwanda after the visit of Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. Vincent Biruta to South Africa early June 2021 where he chatted ways to normalize both countries’ relations with his counterpart, Dr. Naledi Pandor.
“Following Minister Vincent Biruta’s visit to Pretoria last month where he met with his counterpart, a delegation from DIRCO is in Kigali for a working visit. This is another signal that both sides are determined to strengthen bilateral relations,” MINAFFET has tweeted.
Rwanda and South Africa have been hit by diplomatic tensions where Rwanda accused South Africa to grant refuge to fugitives intending to threaten Rwanda’s security like Kayumba Nyamwasa who escaped justice and currently heading RNC terror outfit.
In March 2018, President Cyril Ramaphosa said that the problem of Rwandans being denied visas to South Africa would soon become history after holding talks with President Paul Kagame. However, up to now, Rwandans still struggle to get visa to travel to South Africa.
Rwanda has at different times explained that actions of convicted people or fugitives should not blur bilateral relations.
During discussions with Dr. Biruta who was on working visit in South Africa early June 2021, both ministers committed to restore bilateral relations to normal following discussions between President Paul Kagame and Cyril Ramaphosa held at different times.
The joint statement released following both ministers discussions reads that the two ministers met to assess the current state of bilateral relations and iron out challenges.
They recalled good bilateral relations that existed between the two countries prior to events that led to the straining of relations in 2013 and reiterated commitment to bring the situation to normalcy.
“In open and frank discussions, both ministers confirmed their determination and commitment to normalize diplomatic relations as expressed by President Cyril Ramaphosa and President Paul Kagame, following bilateral meetings,” reads the statement in part.
The ministers agreed that full cooperation between the two countries in a number of areas and sectors will support increased socio-economic development.
It was agreed that mutual actors and measures would be taken to direct bilateral relations along a new path for the benefit of the Government and people of South Africa and Rwanda.
The ministers agreed on a roadmap that will support the normalization process, predicated on agreed timelines whereby both countries must value and respect international laws and regulations that govern relations between countries including territorial integrity and international sovereignty.
Among others, the meeting agreed on the establishment of a Joint Mechanism led by minister Pando and Biruta, to guide and manage the normalization process.
It is expected that senior officials from both countries will serve as the Technical Committee of the Mechanism. The latter will be required to engage the entire spectrum of issues affecting bilateral relations and report to ministers.
“In keeping with our goal of self-reliance in all important aspects, we are working to build our capabilities to manufacture vaccines and other medications in Rwanda. This will reduce our dependence on supply sources that are unpredictable or dependent on other interests,” Kagame said in a televised video message on Sunday to mark the 27th Liberation Day.
Rwanda marks the Liberation Day every year on 4th July 2021 when the Rwandan Patriotic Army, during the liberation struggle, stopped the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi that claimed over 1 million lives.
“This year, we could not celebrate Liberation Day in the usual manner. This is why we must continue our fight against the current surge in COVID-19 cases,” said Kagame.
It is now more important than ever to follow the measures put in place to curb the spread of COVID-19 and save lives, he said, adding that fighting and overcoming COVID-19 is a continuation of the work of liberation.
As part of the celebrations, Rwanda inaugurated a model village constructed in Kinigi sector, Musanze district of Northern Province to accommodate 144 families from informal settlements.
Rwanda confirmed the first Coronavirus case on 14th March 2020. Since then, 42 585 people have been tested positive of whom 27 606 have recovered, 14 509 are active cases, 61 are critically ill while 470 have succumbed to the virus.
A total of 391 954 people have been vaccinated since Rwanda began countrywide inoculation programme on 5th March 2021.
Rwanda’s liberation is celebrated every year on 4th July. It reflects transformations shaping the future of the country driven by the unity and development of all Rwandans.
The inauguration ceremony held on Sunday was attended by various officials including the Minister of Local Government, Jean Marie Vianney Gatabazi and Minister of Defence, Maj Gen Albert Murasira among others.
Located in 12 kilometers away from Musanze town, Kinigi Model Village was constructed by Rwanda Defence Force (RDF).
It is made of six three-storey blocks with 24 homes each. A home has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen and a living room, with ready furniture, beds, mattresses and a television set.
The model village also has poultry houses for 8000 chickens and sheds for other livestock, nursery school, health post, business center workshop, playgrounds and kitchen gardens among others.
Construction activities were completed at a cost of Rwf 26, 611, 466, 699 of which Rwf8, 047,653,297 was allocated for construction of homes, Rwf1, 589, 619, 026 for health center while Rwf3,350, 166, 058 was utilized to build a school and Early Childhood Development Center at the village.
Among others; Rwf1, 874, 637, 199 was utilized to buy 102 cows and 8000 chickens for resettled residents; business center workshop, garden preparation and planting fruit trees cost Rwf1, 874, 637, 199 while the remaining activities including tarmac road, electricity installation and expropriation took Rwf11 billion.
Speaking to IGIHE, beneficiaries expressed delight for the support turning them into smart residents with access to basic infrastructures.
“We have left poverty behind for good. The Government of unity overseeing citizens’ interests has relocated us from risky zones that we are optimistic for better life. I am now living in a beautiful house I had never expected to own. Being among beneficiaries of these homes is a testament that President of the Republic takes care and understands our needs along the development journey. I am grateful for the decent home where I will enjoy comfort during my advanced ages,” said Assiel Ndayambaje.
Other beneficiaries who spoke to the media as the relocation exercise began few days before Rwanda’s Liberation Day also voiced appreciation to the Government for inclusive development policies.
“I am very excited to receive the new home equipped with all basic equipment. It has furniture, smart television, cooking gas among others. Our special thanks go to President Paul Kagame who oversees for us and relentlessly promotes our wellbeing,” said Ismael Izabiriza.
Another beneficiary, Fidèle Ntirenganya, 72, has revealed that residents resisted the relocation but were gradually convinced and changed mindsets.
“At the beginning, local leaders convened a meeting to communicate the resettlement which we resisted. We were against the decision to relocate us until we toured these homes and changed mindsets due to their magnificence. It is a great pleasure that I am among lucky residents that have received homes at the model village,” he said.
The Minister of Local Government, Jean Marie Vianney Gatabazi has revealed that residents expressed delight for resettlement in the new village with aspirations for prosperous future.
As he explained, beneficiaries are from different categories including vulnerable residents who did not have own homes and other who previously lived in dilapidated structures.
“They are resettled to lead decent life in a smart village with all basic services. I would like to extend sentiments of gratitude to President of the Republic for setting framework for such activities. He visited the area, identified areas of improvements and called for action. This is the true liberation,” he noted.
In a televised video message on Sunday to mark the 27th Liberation Day, President Paul Kagame said that Kinigi model village is among projects evidencing Rwandans’ solidarity.
“The Kinigi Model Village being launched today, and other community projects that our armed forces have delivered, in partnership with other institutions, is a demonstration of our Rwandan solidarity, and we have made it a habit,” he noted.
A total of 2,580 projects are to be inaugurated in context of celebration of the 27th Liberation anniversary. These include schools, over 22,000 classrooms, roads, over 110 storage facilities for agricultural produce, distributing water and electricity across the country.
Another model village was inaugurated last year in Tabagwe sector, Nyagatare district as Rwanda marked the 26th Liberation Day.
A total of 82 model villages have been constructed since Rwanda began the program to relocate residents from informal settlements in 2016.
Some of these model villages including Rweru, Kazirankara-Nyundo, Horezo-Kanyenyeri, Karama and Gishuro were officially inaugurated by President Paul Kagame.
Dr. Asiimwe had previously served as the coordinator of National Early Childhood Development Programme from 2017.
The communiqué released on Friday 2nd July 2021 by the Office of Prime Minister reads that the decision takes immediate effect but doesn’t point out reasons of her dismissal.
It also announced the appointment of Gilbert Munyemana as the Acting Director General (DG) of NCD.
Munyemana has previously served as the Deputy DG of NCD.
