RSSB to construct one thousand units

Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB) has forwarded its design of the 1,000 housing units for both the middle and high class category to Kigali City Council. The board intends to construct 500 units in Gacuriro and the same number in Kinyinya Sector, Gasabo district.This is the first phase of a bigger project that will be implemented in four phases. At least $100m has been earmarked for the first phase.The Director of Real Estate Division at RSSB, Hyacinthe Gacendeli, told The Sunday Times that according to the plan, construction is expected to start early December.“We have now given our design to Kigali City for approval and their response will determine the pace at which we move on to implement the first phase of this project,” said Gacendeli.However, although RSSB wants the project to be implemented in four phases, it is possible that it might be implemented at once, according to the contractor. The project will be implemented by Synergy, an Indian firm.Gacendeli said the demand for the houses is also another factor that will determine early implementation of other phases. However, he could not say what the cost of the finished houses would be, saying there would be consultations to come up with the cost. The project is a joint venture between RSSB and Ultimate Developers Limited.However, reports from Rwanda Housing Authority indicate that there are issues that still need to be looked into by RSSB, especially those concerning respecting Kigali City Master Plan. According to the Master Plan, although different zones have different specified units required to be constructed, it is believed that in areas of this project one hectare of land should have 90 units.RSSB owns 150 hectares of land in Gacuriro and 100 in Kinyinya, all of which have been earmarked for the first phase of the project. For construction to commence, the developer must acquire a construction permit from Kigali City One Stop Centre. But that is if set standards are met.The KCC’s Director of Urban Planning and One Stop Center, Lilian Uwanziga Mupende, confirmed to this newspaper that RSSB had contacted her office.“We have received their design. They have to fix what they must for this project to be implemented,” she said, without elaborating on what exactly RSSB has to put in order.She also said that although discussions are still on between the concerned parties, her office has not received any official communication about failing to respect the Master Plan.In a related development, RSSB is also in preparation to put up at least 200 low-cost units at Batsinda in Gasabo district. It says that the houses will be affordable compared to those intended for the middle and high class.