New Ministers Speak out

Following the swearing of the newly appointed Cabinet ministers, The New Times’ Senior Reporter, Edmund Kagire, caught up with some of them and asked them about their new appointments. Pierre-Damien Habumuremyi The new Minister of Education admits his new assignment is a challenging one but he says he is tough enough to handle it. “It’s a tough challenge, but as they say, where things are tough, is where we have to show how strong we are and that’s what I will do.” He says he will use every effort available to ensure that the education sector improves and all Rwandan children access education. Habumuremyi addedthat he will be preoccupied by the need to ensure that the country achieves its targets---to create a skilled and educated population that will drive the country socio-economic development sector. He is a former Lecturer at the National University of Rwanda (NUR), INILAK, and the Independent University of Kigali (ULK). He worked thereafter with the German Technical Assistance programme (GTZ) and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) before he was appointed Executive Secretary of the National Electoral Commission. Born in Musanze District, Northern Province, Habumuremyi, 50, was in 2008 elected to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) where he was serving prior to his new appointment. Venantia Tugireyezu The new Minister in the President’s Office said that she was elated by her appointment, vowing not to let down the appointing authority. “I am ecstatic about my new appointment and I will ensure that the confidence that the appointing authority showed in me is not betrayed. I am ready to take on this challenge,” “I am ready to serve Rwandans and committed to continue with my role in the nation building process. More importantly, I will play an integral role in those things that will move our country to the desired levels of development,” she said. Tugireyezu, 40, believes she is still youthful enough to serve her country diligently. Born in Rusizi, Western Province, she has been a Judge in the High Court. Albert Nsengiyumva Perhaps with one of the toughest jobs in the country awaits the new minister of infrastructure, but he cuts a cool suave image and seems confident to take the new duties head-on. Formerly head of the Workforce Development Agency (WDA), Nsengiyumva is well aware that the task ahead will not be any easy, with the government setting ambitious goals in the areas of infrastructure, energy and transport. “It is a challenging task I have ahead. As you might be aware, infrastructure is a very integral part of the development process. We still have a lot to do in as far as building ourselves is concerned,” “But the most important thing is that the appointing authority has showed confidence in me and I will not let down the country. I will use all efforts to do what I have to do. Coordination between various organs and levels will play a more vital role,” Nsengiyumva said. Among other things, he said he will be preoccupied with the most urgent concerns, mainly increasing electricity generation, implementing government projects such as the new Bugesera International Airport and other big projects. Born in Burundi, Nsengiyumva obtained his lower and advanced education in Burundi before he proceeded abroad to pursue postgraduate studies in applied electronics in Belgium. Upon return to Rwanda, Nsengiyumva headed the ICT department at the National University of Rwanda (NUR) before joining the Ministry of Education where he coordinated ICT activities. Thereafter he joined WDA where he served for 16 months before recently taking over the mantle at MININFRA. Dr. Alex Nzahabwanimana To assist Nsengiyumva at MININFRA, particularly in transport issues, Nzahabwanimana admits that he was surprised by the new appointment as State Minister to the new portfolio curved out of the Ministry of Infrastructure. He, however, says he is no stranger to the job as he has been working with the equally new Rwanda Transport Development Agency (RTDA). “I am not a stranger, I have been there but I am overjoyed by the fact that the stakes in my duties were raised, but I remain in the same area of speciality. I am determined than ever to serve the nation in this aspect,” he told The New Times. He is aware that the transport sector is one of the fastest growing sectors in the country and it will take extraordinary efforts to meet the expectations of the country. Major among these is the growing number of vehicles in the city. An Engineering graduate and former lecturer at NUR, Nzahabwanimana holds a doctorate in engineering from Holland, specialising in road engineering. Upon return from Holland, he lectured at NUR again before working with the Free Trade Zone also specialising in road networks. He later joined RTDA where he was in charge of big road engineering and repairing projects. Dr Agnes Binagwaho Not very new to the scene, Dr. Binagwaho, prior to her new appointment as Minister of Health, was the Permanent Secretary at the same ministry. She said she received her new appointment with “humility.” “It’s a great honour for me, there are a lot of challenges, but hopefully, since I have been working in the same sector, I know them and I am ready to take them on,” “We already have strategies in place to overcome these challenges. There is great effort in place and as a government, we are working as a team. It is a task that is not going to be easy but it is my pleasure to take it on,” Dr. Binagwaho said. Prior to joining the Ministry, Dr. Binagwaho served as the Executive Secretary of the National Commission to Fight AIDS (CNLS). She is also a member of the expert panel of the country coordination mechanism in Rwanda for the Global Fund, the national steering committee on prevention of mother to child transmission, and the technical advisory group for HIV/AIDS in the Ministry of Health. Dr. Binagwaho is a paediatrician specialising in Emergency Paediatrics and the treatment of HIV/AIDS among children and adults. She finds time to practise her profession. Ends