The Minister for Justice and Attorney General, Johnston Busingye, has said the country overcame security threats, but is yet to fully address the socio-economic needs of the citizens.

He was officiating at one of the activities in line with the ongoing Police Week, yesterday, in Gasabo District.

He explained that security organs had now shifted attention to development activities as part of Rwanda’s liberation process to ensure the welfare of the people and sustainable development of the country.

The minister handed over solar power systems to 56 households in Agahinga Village, Muko Cell of Jali Sector. He also visited sanitation facilities and inaugurated clean water sources constructed during the Police Week in partnership with Water and Sanitation Corporation Limited (WASAC).

"The Liberation struggle was not just to remove an unjust and Genocidal regime, but to transform the country politically, socially and economically afterwards,” he said. 

"This is the latest phase of the liberation struggle, we must work hard to ensure that we take our country to a higher level, and Police Week activities are linked to Rwanda’s continuous liberation struggle”.

He commended the existing partnership between Rwanda National Police (RNP) and its stakeholders in boosting security, social welfare and development.

 "We have achieved a lot but we need to work even harder; to do that we must jealously guard what we have achieved,” he added.

He appealed to residents of Jali to build a stronger partnership with the police in matters of security and development, and refrain from any acts that could hinder Rwanda’s peace and security.

Inspector General of Police Emmanuel K. Gasana said that throughout the Police Week, that started on May 16, police had connected about 3,400 homes and 20 health facilities with solar-powered energy across the country, centers.

During the course of the month-long security and community development activities, Police also linked about 600 homes to clean tap water, gave 700 people universal medical insurance commonly known as Mutuelle de Sante, constructed or renovated 60km of feeder roads, and built 150 toilets and 30 kitchens.

Other activities included construction of bridges and water channels and fighting the armyworm menace that has ravaged crops.

"We couldn’t have achieved these without the help of the public and other stakeholders, including organs under the Ministries of Infrastructure and Local Government,” Gasasa said.

"Our mandate is to ensure that Rwandans are secure and their welfare determines their security. That’s why we are committed to further supplement government development activities to improve the security and welfare of the people,” he added.

Among those present was the Mayor of City of Kigali, Pascal Nyamulinda, and Gisele Umuhumuza, Deputy CEO in charge of Rural Water & Sanitation Services at WASAC.

One of the beneficiaries, Alphonsine Uwiringiyimana expressed her gratitude to the police. She urged them to continue focusing not only on the safety and security of the citizens, but also on their social- wellbeing.

"We used to struggle getting money to buy kerosene for the lamp, today I have free electricity. I thank President Kagame who made this happen and the police that have showed us its commitment to improving social welfare of the people.” Uwiringiyimana said.

Meanwhile, in a similar event, the Minister of Education Dr Papias Musafiri Malimba yesterday joined Police Training School (PTS) and Gishari Integrate Polytechnic (GIP) in distributing solar home systems to 166 households in Agatare village of Gati cell in Gishari Sector of Rwamagana District.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw