Several residents hired to offer manual labour during the construction of Nyanza Market in 2012 are yet to be paid. Alphonse Nzagahimana, a representative of the 64 affected residents, said the contractor owes them over Rwf3 million and called for urgent intervention. Nzagahimana, a resident of Busasamana Sector, was speaking during a meeting with a delegation from the Ombudsman’s Office on Friday. The delegation had visited the area to listen to people’s grievances in line with the Good Governance Month that was launched in Gicumbi District, on Wednesday. Nyanza District in 2012 contracted Kigali–based Emujabo Enterprise (Entreprise Jean Bodoué) to construct Nyanza Market to help boost economic development in the area. The affected residents were hired to work for the above company and were to be paid for their services. “They have always given us empty promises. They claim to be evaluating our work but their evaluation is taking ages,” Nzagahimana said, adding that the issue was even reported to Nyanza Advisory Council and but was never addressed. Efforts to talk to the entrepreneur were futile by press time as the known mobile number was unavailable. The Nyanza District vice mayor for Finance and Economic Development, Francis Nkurunziza, however, said there was about Rwf4 million still to be paid to the contractor for the last phase of the work. “Before we pay the contractor for the last phase, we will first clear the Rwf3 million that the company owes the workers,” he said. Meanwhile, Theodor Bucyanayandi, representing Nyanza Duhange, a cooperative that was contracted to do cleaning services in Nyanza District, said they have spent about four years without getting their Rwf3 million remuneration, which has affected the cooperative members. Nkurunziza promised that the cooperative would be paid in the next financial year, August 2015. Nyanza District promised to address the issues and make a report as recommended by the Ombudsman’s Office. Clément Musangabatware, the Deputy Ombudsman in charge of preventing and fighting corruption, said they received over 50 complaints from Busasamana Sector, nine of which would be handled by his office. “The remaining cases were referred to sectors and district officials. They will give a report to the Ombudsman’s Office and Rwanda Governance Board,” he said. Residents also complained of none compensation for cases won in court. Musangabatware urged concerned organs to enforce court verdicts. Most complaints received were about property, especially land, which Musangabatware said cuts across all districts of the country. He urged local leaders to get closer to the people and dedicate a day to solve people’s grievances.
