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Eastern Province launches new Imidugudu campaignA campaign to settle residents in planned settlements commonly known as Imidugudu was launched in the Eastern Province.The event attracted various dignitaries that included the State Minister in charge of Social Affairs, Dr Alvera Mukabaramba, provincial Governor Odette Uwamariya and officials from Rwanda Red Cross (RRC).About 85 residents in Gatore Sector have received houses from RRC.The National Human Settlement Policy requires every citizen to settle in planned villages.According to the report released by the local government, the Eastern Province was ranked best in implementing the programme. It was ranked at 87.2 per cent followed by the Northen Province. The head of the special programmes in the Province, Denise Uwera, said that the population will have to be settled in their respective locations to pave way for agricultural activities.Advocating for Women RightsThe first lady, Mrs Jeannette Kagame, took part in the Dialogue for Action Africa conference that was held in Gabon.The conference was aimed at promoting women rights. Organized by Cecilia Attias, a seasoned activist for women’s rights, it attracted representatives from NGOs, private and public sector as well as philanthropists.It was also attended by First Ladies from Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Namibia, Senegal and the host, Sylvie Bongo Ondimba.Participants discussed a wide range of issues including Education for girls and women, women’s access to business and entrepreneurship, health systems and maternal care as well as women as agents of peace. Mrs. Kagame shared Rwanda’s experience where she explained the role of Imbuto Foundation in supporting the most vulnerable Rwandans.Kigali streets get new namesKigali City started the long awaited naming of all roads in the city. The exercise will relieve the population from the burden of locating their destinations. The I.T. manager at Kigali City Council, Cedric Umuhire, said the exercise will be completed in two weeks.It will see all roads; avenues and streets get signs with letters and numbers. For instance, if the street is in Nyarugenge District, the street name be: KN (Kigali Nyarugenge): 2 st.Kigali City Mayor, Fidel Ndayisaba, said the move is to further simplify and make it easier for people to locate their destinations. MPs welcome 2012/13 budgetLawmakers highly praised the country’s 2012/13 national budget read by Finance Minister John Rwangombwa.MPs commended the progressive emphasis on development expenditure, efforts to cut aid dependency as well as the new gender budget responsiveness drive.Government will make a total investment of Rwf 3,436.0 billion to achieve EDPRS targets, according to allocations and priorities in the revised budget.This fiscal year is the last year of EDPRS implementation.MP Connie Bwiza, a member of the standing committee on budget and national patrimony, which reviewed allocations of the draft budget, said she welcomed the process by which the budget was prepared.Cargo owners on the spot over delaysIt was reported that cargo owners delay to collect their goods therefore causing truck drivers to incur more costs.This, it was said is also a non tariff barrier and that it is hindering trade in the region.Drivers from Tanzania and Kenya say they spend days at MAGERWA, a national bonded warehouse awaiting owners of cargo to clear goods.They say this forces them to incur extra costs.Ramathan Bakari, a Tanzanian truck driver said he had spent three days at the MAGERWA premises while a Kenyan driver, Adam Mohamed had spent there five days. They said that cargo owners in Rwanda take time to clear their goods unlike in Uganda and Tanzania.SACCOs Rwf 2.6 billion budget allocation to boost savingsThe 2012/2013 budget indicates that Rwf 2.6 billion is allocated to savings and Credit Cooperatives- SACCOs. This is in line with increasing savings needed to boost economic and social transformation.The allocations will fund technical assistance activities meant to strengthen SACCOs. This is expected to improve on their performance, accelerate savings and financial inclusion and access to credit.Rwangombwa said that government aims at making Saccos important tools of economic and social transformation mainly in rural areas. The budget allocates Rwf 5 billion to increase the capital of Umwalimu Sacco (Teachers’ Cooperative).