Govt starts building houses for high risk zone dwellers

The construction of houses for 30,822 families meant to be resettled by September from areas regarded as prone to disasters across the country has started.The construction was launched over the weekend by the Prime Minister Pierre Damien Habumuremyi, in Rusheshe cell, Masaka sector of Kicukiro District.The launch saw people participate in special community work, Umuganda, which involved clearing plots in village settlements destined to accommodate the evictees’ houses.Premier Habumuremyi laid a foundation stone for construction of 32 units for people to be evicted from Kagina marshland in Kicukiro sector and Rwampala marshland in Rugarama sector.Last year, 75 people died from disasters in risky zone areas. This year alone, 58 people have died, the PM told the residents, justifying the need to urgently relocate people from the high risk zones.The injured in the same period are to around 150 people.About 10,000 houses were destroyed by the disasters which included floods and heavy storms.“Government cannot tolerate this situation because we value a lot our people,” he said.Warning The premier indicated that of 43,000 households that were identified as living in risky zones countrywide, 12,000 have already relocated while 30,822 families are to be resettled by the September deadline.Premier Habumuremyi warned people resisting eviction, saying they were playing around with their lives.Virginie Mukazitoni, resident of Gashiha marshland in Kigarama sector, said she could not wait for the day of her relocation from disaster-prone zone.“In April I lost all my property to rain,” she said.The eviction plan that will cost the government Rwf6.5bn.The government will give the very poor completed houses, while those with means will only get a plot of land in the village settlement which every person relocating will be entitled to. In this exercise, contribution equivalent to 70 per cent will be provided through community work.Kicukiro mayor Paul Jules Ndamage said Rusheshe village settlement consists of 20 hectares to accommodate 350 units. Other categories of people, including Genocide survivors and the disabled ex-combatants are expected get houses there.The units of the high risky zone evictees will cost Rwf9m each upon completion.

National

Govt starts building houses for high risk zone dwellers