Rwanda’s President, His Excellency Paul Kagame yesterday urged the citizens of the country to remain united in nation building and called for concerted efforts towards improving the livelihoods of the people of Rwanda. Joins President Kagame in anti-Nyakatsi campaign in Kigali.
President Kagame pledged his government’s support to “ensure decent housing for all”, noting that it was one of the top priorities of the State.
The President was speaking when he joined Members of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) who participated in the monthly community work (Umuganda), in Kanyinya Sector, Shyorongi in Nyarugenge District. EALA took the opportunity to launch its 10th Anniversary celebrations by engaging in construction of housing as a means of both outreach and as part of its corporate social responsibility and participation in Rwanda’s campaign to eradicate the grass-thatched houses (Nyakatsi).
The President lauded EALA for engaging with the communities during its visit. “I am pleased that EALA members chose to participate in helping citizens realize their dream of decent housing in the anti-Nyakatsi drive here in Kanyinya, President Kagame noted.
The President hailed the existing warm and cordial relations between the Partner States, noting that the spirit of integration had unified the citizens of the EAC.
The Speaker of EALA, Rt. Hon Abdirahin Abdi acknowledged the role Umuganda plays in solidifying communities’ social cohesion and asked the hosts to work towards having the other Partner States replicate the initiative.
”Allow me to congratulate President Kagame for leading this important initiative from the front and through deeds and actions. I do hope the rest of the region can learn from and replicate the Umuganda idea. As East Africans who have come here, we have learnt a lot. It is from seeing that you believe. When we see, you go out there and preach the gospel ” the Rt. Hon. Speaker said.
He said EALA was committed to ensure all East Africans led a decent life of good and moderate housing, have food to eat and the ability to meet the basic necessities of life. He noted that EALA had passed a resolution in support of decent housing for all East Africans.
Speaking on behalf of the Kanyinya community, a beneficiary, Ms. Dafrosa Nyiramrimo congratulated the State for making good housing a reality. “Indeed there is light at the end of the tunnel. I congratulate Mr. Kagame who during the swearing in last year, promised that no Rwandese should live in Nyakatsi and that he would lift them out of poverty. Sooner than later, this move shall be achieved”, she noted.
The government of Rwanda is committed to ensuring Rwanda eradicates the grass thatched houses. The ambitious plan has seen the government work closely with the communities through cost sharing. According to the Mayor of Kigali, Fidele Ndayisaba, Kigali had about 1559 people living in grass thatched houses before the anti-Nyakatsi drive started. Now 1093 houses have been constructed with another 400 expected to be completed shortly.
The house building projects shall continue as part of Umuganda until May this year. The country hopes to clear the grass-thatched houses by next year.
On its part, EALA which is in Kigali from March 25th 2011 through to April 7, 2011 for the 4th Meeting of the 4th Session, shall be marking its 10th Anniversary celebrations this year. The anti-Nyakatsi campaign marks the inaugural commemoration which shall be observed in the EAC Partner States, with the climax of a wide range of the activities also scheduled to be observed in Arusha, Tanzania on November 29, 2011. EALA shall thus use the celebrations to reflect on the various achievements (and challenges) realized over the past ten years and appraise its own effectiveness as it sets the mood for the next decade.
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For more Information, contact: Bobi Odiko, Senior Public Relations Officer; East African Legislative Assembly; Tel: +255-27-2508240 Cell: +255 787 870945, +254-733-718036; Email: bodiko@eachq.org Web: https://www.eala.org Arusha, Tanzania
