The land formerly occupied by Deutsche Welle radio station in Kinyinya, Gasabo District, will be redeveloped into a residential estate. According to Kigali City Mayor Monique Mukaruriza, the land will be put to use in accordance with the city master plan. “The exploitation should respect the city master plan whereby Kinyinya is designated as a residential area. We shall see how best to use it,” she said. At the moment, Kigali and its environs are under pressure to accommodate an increasing population that has pushed property prices to skyrocket. The radio station vacated the property after 53 years and was Deutsche Welle’s last remaining relay stations as it slowly wound up shortwave transmissions in the advent of the FM stations and new media. The Kinyinya infrastructure helped the German broadcaster reach out to its audience in Africa and the Middle East In 1963, the government signed an agreement with the Deutsche Welle to operate a relay station in Kigali with the latter supposed to provide technical assistance in the establishment of Radio Rwanda. In return, the government would provide land on which transmission masts would be set up. The agreement was subject to periodical review and renewal when both parties deem it fit. Early last year, the Germans decided not to renew the agreement, according to the government. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
