EASTERN PROVINCE NGOMA — Members of the Ngoma District Advisory Council (DAC) have criticized the district policy to demolish substandard houses in trading centres. In a statement issued by the council’s president Francis Bushaija, the members said that the demolition and rehabilitation policy was conceived without their input. “The DAC strongly disagrees with the procedures used by the district to make a new district face without first notifying us for approval,” the statement reads in part. Under the new housing policy, close to 20 houses were earmarked to be razed, while other 15 were recommended for rehabilitation in Kibungo town alone. If implemented, the buildings are to be replaced by three storeyed buildings. The council set August 31 2008 as the deadline for finishing up the rehabilitation exercise. Reacting on the statement, the committee that recommended the new policy asked for forgiveness for coming up with the decision without consulting the DAC. At a council meeting on July 18, 2008, the members resolved that the concerned committee conducts a new evaluation of houses to ensure that no structures are wrongly listed for razing. The council intervened after several landlords complained that their houses were unfairly lined up for demolition. Meanwhile, at the same meeting, members asked the district to always ensure timely payment of health insurance for vulnerable residents. The decision followed reports that scores of residents had been turned away at Kibungo Hospital early this month, because the district had failed to pay their health insurance charges. The meeting also approved new boundaries of the district’s town which covers Kibungo, Remera and Kazo sectors. The council further approved Paul Ndizihiwe, and Yvonne Uwase as the district’s director of planning, and accountant respectively, while Oswald Kalisa was approved as executive secretary for Rwintashya cell, Rurenge sector. Ends
