Urgently fix Kigali - Rusizi road

Editor, I take this opportunity to comment on the news that I heard from Radio Rwanda Monday morning. A journalist was speaking to passengers of a public transport from Rusizi to Kigali. They lamented the poor conditions of the road Rusizi-Kigali. This was mentioned a few days ago on RTV and even recently while the PM was visiting Rusizi. What I really don’t understand is why the ministry of infrastructure delays in taking action. They say the money is there, the projects are already made, and then what? Those who use use the road Kigali-Musanze know better. Since last year it was said that money for rehabilitation is there, a company has been selected, everything is in place. But a year has gone, Musanze-Rubavu road is already completed and very smart as a highway. Can the ministry gently tell Rwandase what is going wrong? I was frustrated to hear the Mayor of Rusizi, Mr. Fabian Sindayiheba speaking to a Radio Rwanda journalist on phone when he said that he wrote to the ministry long ago, alerting them of the poor conditions of the Rusizi-Kigali road, and warning for the bad conditions it would be in when the heavy rains October/November start. The ministry not only didn’t take any action but they have not even replied to his letter. I don’t know if they understand how such a mayor is upset. The local people take him as a leader who is supposed to solve their problems. As his authority and powers have limits, he calls upon higher authority for assistance and will wait endlessly. We only have 30 districts. If a ministry has not time to feedback a request from one district, what would hapen if we had 100 of them? From the news it was commented that some government authorities who visit Rusizi are travelling by air. May be this is not directly connected to the conditions of the road. But local people cannot think it the other way. They are convinced that thse authorities are avoing this poor road. If the bureaucratic procedures are still ongoing, the ministry should at least give feedback to local authorities, then look for provisionary solutions such as filling holes with mud or stones, working closely with local people to implement this in order to allow people travel more or less safely. Otherwise, travel companies using the road will end up confused of why they keep paying taxes yet the efforts are one way, passengers will question the effectiveness of government plans, without forgetting that risks on human lives and on environment will be so high. Chris NDAMUZEYE” ndachris1@yahoo.fr

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Urgently fix Kigali - Rusizi road