Construction of substandard infrastructure projects like roads, drainage system and houses for the needy are some of the reasons behind sacking of the Huye District executive team led by Mayor Eugène Kayiranga Muzuka. This was confirmed to The New Times by Dr Jean-Chrisostome Ngabitsinze, the Chairperson of the District Advisory Council. On Thursday, Muzuka and his two vice mayors — Cyprien Mutwarasibo for economic development, and Christine Niwemugeni for social development — joining the long list of other district leaders to be relieved of their duties within weeks. According to Ngabitsinze, the district leaders were censured following a meeting convened by the Council on Thursday, which aimed at assessing the district’s performance on various indicators and the executive committee failed to explain several discrepancies that arose. “Several road construction projects were substandard, with no water channels, most of the roads will only last for a few years,” he said. The other projects Dr Ngabitsinze mentioned are the construction of houses for the vulnerable in the district which he said were substandard. “The budget always showed a lot of money spent on constructing houses for the vulnerable but the houses would crumble only after months, and more money would be requisitioned to renovate these same houses,” Ngabitsinze explained. The district’s executive team was also faulted for shoddy works of an exhibition hall for the youth venturing in technology and art which was constructed “but is leaking after taking about Rwf140 million”. “The roof leaks, there are no water channels and little cement was used,” he noted. The district council says the trio never gave enough explanations on the allegations but instead faulted contractors for not doing their work which the council said was “mere defence mechanism”. “The district has infrastructure officials who should supervise such projects,” he said. Ironically, Huye last year emerged the best in the execution of the annual performance contracts, Imihigo. The Southern Provinces district has been faulted on several occasions by the auditor general’s report in substandard projects and excessive spending. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
