PM, ministers to appear before parliament today

KIGALI - Prime Minister Bernard Makuza, will today appear before Members of the Lower Chamber of Parliament to respond to queries raised by the parliamentary Commission on agriculture, livestock development and environment. Makuza’s appearance will immediately be followed by that of the Ministers of Agriculture (Dr. Agnes Kalibata), Infrastructure (Vincent Karega), Lands and Environment (Stanislas Kamanzi) and Forests and Mines (Christophe Bazivamo). Makuza is expected to explain what, among others, the government is doing to increase agricultural productivity. He is also expected to explain in detail the Madhvani land issue, where the investor was allocated land to grow sugarcane as backup for the sugar processing industry that he bought from government. Makuza will also explain to the Lawmakers why the national institute of statistics has failed to provide the statistics on the changes incurred in the productivity within the agricultural sector. The Minister for Agriculture, Dr. Agnes Kalibata will explain issues relating to the seeds, fertilizers and pesticides that were given to farmers.While the Minister of Lands and Enviroment, Stanislas Kamanzi will be grilled on how far the phasing out of the Nyanza landfill has gone. Minister Karega will highlight what his ministry is doing to backup the agricultural sector. The Ministers’ appearance follows a report that was launched by the Commission in October last year, highlighting some of the issues that are hindering the progress of the agricultural sector. Ends

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PM, ministers to appear before parliament today