KARONGI – A total of Euros 1.3 million has been allocated for development projects in the three districts of Rutsiro, Ngororero and Nyanza by the International Organisation of Francophone countries (OIF).

This is part of a bigger package, amounting to Euros 5 million, from which three other African countries will benefit. They are Central African Republic, Togo, and Senegal.

During a consultative meeting, held in Karongi last Friday, Emiliene Lionelle Ngosamnick, the official in charge of the project at OIF, said that the programme will last for two years.

"The support is channelled through local leaderships and is aimed at financially empowering the grassroots communities, thus enabling them to raise their level of sociop-economic welfare,” she said.

Vedaste Hakizimana, who is in charge of community development at the Ministry of Local Government, urged proper use of the funds to deliver the intended results.

"We (Rwanda) have, for long, been exemplary in the proper use of financial aid and donations. The intended beneficiaries should benefit from this support as planned,” he said.

Jean Paul Birorimana, the Director of Planning in Ngororero District, acknowledged that the funding will boost the district’s development programmes.

"Some developmental programmes get started but fail to advance due to lack of funding. This support comes in handy,” he said.

Birorimana said the funding will go into infrastructure, agriculture and healthcare.

"We intend to increase distribution of safe and clean water in the community as well as increasing production of hydro-electric power at one of the power stations in the district,” he said.

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