All hands are on deck to ensure that the One Dollar Complex, a structure that is supposed to accommodate Genocide orphans is completed by April, just ahead of the 20th commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

 Speaking to The New Times yesterday, Constantin Rukundo, president of the student survivors’ body, AERG, said next month they would come up with the final selection of who would occupy  the complex situated in the upscale Kagugu neighbourhood in Gasabo District.

"We have 600 homeless students, but, unfortunately, they can’t all be accommodated in the complex. We have to select 190 who are most needy,” said Rukundo.

The four-storey building was built out of proceeds from the One Dollar Campaign which was launched in 2009. It can accommodate 192.

The hiccups

The completion of the multi-million dollar project has, however, been bogged down by hiccups that saw the initial first phase project (worth Rwf1.6 billion) completion delayed from the original 2011 deadline.

During an interview on Tuesday, Augustin Kampayana, the chairman of the project’s board, said the long-awaited building would soon be completed.

"We visited the premises (on Tuesday) and they are now working on the final touches, and we agreed they should be through in two weeks,” said Kampayana.

The delays in completion of the project were attributed to poor management and misunderstandings among the parties involved.

It emerged that the former project manager, Sayinzoga Nkongoli, had been making modifications without consulting the board, which inflated the price.

Suspending works

Following disagreements, the contractor, Murenzi Supply Company, suspended the works for nearly one year because the additional work, estimated at Rwf800 million, was not part of the deal.

"The government was obliged to pump in more money,” said Kampayana.

In January, last year,  following complaints from those who had fundraised for the project, Premier Pierre Damien Habumuremyi visited the site and appointed a new project manager (attached to the Ministry of Infrastructure) and ordered the works to resume.

He also called on those who had pledged support for the project to honor their promises.

Kampayana said the contractor respected terms of the contract, but there were still works the district (Gasabo) and the City of Kigali have to complete that includes water connection and fire safety infrastructure.

As for furnishing, officials from the project said they had already drawn a tender for the equipment.

Damien Murenzi, the proprietor of Murenzi Supply Company, said: "This project affected my business because it delayed. But I am happy that people who were prejudiced that we do not deliver will finally see the results.”

What they say about the one dollar complex

Théogene Niyongabo, airtime vendor.

‘I think that people who implemented this project delayed so much. Normally, when someone is homeless, they do not have time to wait. Anybody getting a fund to help them leave misery should always act fast. Most of them are hapless after losing even their family property to unscrupulous neighbours.’

Pacifique Niyigaba, graduate.

‘Sheltering the Genocide orphans will take quite long. But the way to go is to have each and every Rwandan involved. I think we can manage to collect enough for more projects of the One Dollar style by using the concept similar to Agaciro Development Fund. The government is playing its part, and for sure, if we can be compassionate, we would end up having every orphan in a decent house.’

Ernestine Mukansonera, Genocide survivor.

‘I wish I was thought of in this project, since I am rearing three nieces aged between five to 10 years and it is quite challenging. We were promised assistance and shelter, but this never happened. Concerned authorities should also consider our plight.’

Vestine Mukangango, a cleaner.

‘One Dollar project is timely. Indeed these students qualify for a sheltering support. Each Rwandan should give what they can afford to have our brothers and sisters in a decent house because shelter is a necessity.’ 

History

The One Dollar Complex is a product of a campaign by Rwandans in the Diaspora who sought to raise funds to construct shelter for children of Genocide victims who are currently in school. The campaign was lanched on April 4, 2009, by by the Rwanda Di¬aspora Global Network. It targeted the collection of Rwf1.5 billion. The project was later embraced by government institutions, non government organisations, the private sector, religious bodies, civil society, students, individuals and friends of Rwanda.