NYAGATARE - Local authorities last week embarked on a demolition exercise of sub-standard houses in Rukomo trading centre in Nyagatare District, to pave way for the building of a modern town. In an interview, the Rukomo Sector Executive Secretary, Emmanuel Ndikubwayezu said the decision was reached in 2007, by the sector advisory council and no sub-standard houses will be spared. A letter issued by the sector authorities says all new houses in Rukomo should be built using approved materials in tandem with the new building plan. However, the demolition of houses in this busy trading centre of the district has attracted criticism, with some landlords, saying the authorities are enforcing the order selectively. Samuel Gafaranga, one of the affected residents told The New Times that houses belonging to some local leaders have been spared, yet they are also sub-standard. “Yes, we accept the demolition exercise if it is to give way to modern buildings but what is most disturbing is that there is favoritism in the process. Local leaders protect their houses and others belonging to their relatives,” he said. Residents also complained that some of the houses demolished belong to Genocide survivors, and wondered why they wasted time constructing them. ‘This advisory council letter came in 2007 while the sector authorities directed us to construct houses for survivors in 2008. Why did they let us waste our time constructing houses that are now declared sub -standard?’ one resident wondered. Ends
