Authorities in the southern district of Muhanga have cautioned developers against putting up structures that do not comform with the town master plan that was endorsed some three years ago. Muhanga District is one of the six sec0ndary cities that the government is seeking to develop under the second Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRSII). The blueprint seeks to, among others, transform the economic geography of the country by facilitating urbanisation and promoting secondary cities, supporting regional growth and creating jobs in the countryside to stem rural-urban migration. Rwanda’s rural urban migration rate stands at 4.8 per cent compared to the global average of 1.9 per cent, according to available figures. As the satellite towns continue to attract investors, a seeming boom in housing units seem to be taking place though sometimes ignoring existing regulations. This has prompted Muhanga mayor Yvonne Mutakwasuku to caution that anyone who puts up a building ignoring the town’s master plan will bear the consequences. While addressing journalists on Wednesday, Mutakwasuku warned that “the violation of master plan will never be tolerated.” Some of the developers might find their structures being put down as a result of violating the construction master plan or ignoring the existing regulations, Mutakwasuku warned. Some three years ago, authorities in Muhanga District unveiled a master plan in an attempt to modernise the town and regulate the growing construction sector. The plan includes measures for city development, safety and disaster management, among other key features.
