Only 59% of city budget met

KIGALI - With less than two months to the end of the 2010/2011 financial year, the City of Kigali attained only 59 percent of its targets. Out of about Rwf 37.5 billion budget, of which 89.7 percent was allocated to development projects, only Rwf 22.2 billion has so far been spent, according to a report on budget execution. According to the report from the city, the projects executed beyond the average of the allocated budget are road construction which stands at 63 percent, rehabilitation and installation of street lights valued at over Rwf 2bn (100%) and 88 percent in construction of water channels. Of the 103.7km of roads supposed to be constructed in phases at a tune of Rwf 45 billion, 49km are under construction with 23km of them complete. Regarding economic development which was allocated over Rwf 1.8bn, only 27 percent was executed. Among the economic development projects were to support Agaseke project, youth associations and agriculture and animal husbandry. Regarding health facilities, the city, which was supposed to construct at least seven health centres, constructed none this fiscal year? About Rwf 1.9 billion had been allocated to the construction of the health centres in the sectors of Remera, Gatenga, Kigarama, Kimironko Mageragere, Gatsata and Kanyinya. Alphonse Nizeyimana, city vice Mayor in charge of economic development, said that the execution of the budget was affected by a deficit of funds. Nizeyimana said that some development partners did not honour their pledges in time. “The Chinese government was supposed to give us Rwf 10 billion for the construction of 25km roads, which we are yet to receive. But the feasibility study (for the roads) was completed and the construction will start as soon as we get the funds,” said Nizeyimana. The vice mayor added that a detailed study of another 44km of a roads network was completed and the city is currently looking for funds to begin construction. Nizeyimana also said that Common Development Fund (CDF) gave the city only Rwf 600 million out of Rwf 1.5 billion it was supposed to give them. On the issue of health centres, he said that it was hampered by the change of designs. “We decided to build multiple storied health centres which would increase the cost from Rwf 360m to Rwf 580m per health centre,” he noted. The new health facilities’ design, he said will include TB wards, walkways for persons with disabilities and enough waiting rooms, all which were not included in the original design. “We hope by the end of the fiscal year (July), the budget execution will be at 68 percent since some of the projects under implementation will be complete,” he explained. Ends

National

Only 59% of city budget met