MPs criticise Gicumbi’s Eco-sun latrine project

Members of Parliament have expressed concern over the way public latrines were built in Gicumbi District when a delegation of MPs from the Foreign Affairs Committee visited the area to assess the implementation of various community projects funded by donors through the Ubudehe programme.

Thursday, January 05, 2012

Members of Parliament have expressed concern over the way public latrines were built in Gicumbi District when a delegation of MPs from the Foreign Affairs Committee visited the area to assess the implementation of various community projects funded by donors through the Ubudehe programme.

Led by Gideon Kayinamura, the MPs noted that the latrines were few and small, while the general sanitation in the district was wanting, and urged the district to urgently address the matter.

"The sanitation is still wanting, especially latrines. They are few compared to the number of residents,” said Kayinamura.

The MPs also expressed concern over the time taken to implement sanitation projects.

The district Director of Planning and Evaluation, Jean Baptiste Habyarimana, told The New Times that this time they would closely supervise several private service providers during construction.

"Sometimes, contractors are not honest in carrying out the job they are contracted to do, and now the loopholes have been discovered. We are going to be serious this time,” Habyarimana pledged.

However, when contacted, an official from the company hired to construct the latrines, attributed the shoddy work to the district’s delay in releasing funds.

fred.ndoli@newtimes.co.rw