RUBAVU - Gisenyi town traders have appealed to the Ministry of Commerce to rescind an order by local authorities for some of their businesses to be closed. 

District and sector authorities had moved in to close a number of business premises last weekend, because traders allegedly failed to participate in the monthly community work, ‘Umugunda’.

The authorities ordered the affected traders to pay a fine of Rwf20,000 before resuming operations, which the traders have disputed.

"We participated in Umuganda in our villages and we pay money to a private company to clean our business premises.

As far as we are concerned  we are above board,” Pierre Celestin Twagirimana, one of the affected traders said.

"Look, to me it doesn’t make sense for any one to abruptly close our businesses. Something has to be done to redress the situation,” another trader identified as Liberate Umurerwa added.  

Contacted, an official from the Ministry, Godance Mukamurenzi, said they have received the traders’ complaints.  

"I will meet the affected traders and district officials together with the representative of private sector, to try and resolve the problem,” Mukamurenzi said.  

The representative of the private sector in the area, Moses Bigirabagabo, criticised the district’s decision, saying it was illegal.

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