Lawmakers have directed Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA) to speed up the rehabilitation works at its new headquarters.

Works at the premises that formerly housed the defunct Kagera Basin Organisation in Kacyiru, was supposed to be ready in 2012, but it is still ongoing, two years later.

The delay, the MPs said, has left RBA indebted to the tune of over a billion francs in rent arrears.

The issue was raised this week during a session by the parliamentary committee on national budget and patrimony.

The meeting was meant to evaluate the progress of the 2013/2014 fiscal year, and to examine the budget framework for 2014/20115 for the Ministry of Local Government and affiliated agencies.

"The rehabilitation was supposed to be completed by mid 2012, but RBA is yet to move to its own premises. Who will be responsible for the arrears caused by these overheads?” asked MP Theobald Mporanyi.

The refurbishment and installation of broadcasting equipment in the building will cost about Rwf900 million.

However, RBA’s failure to vacate its former premises has led to rent arrears worth $1.6 million owed to current owner, Executive Investments Limited, a Kenyan real estate firm.

The accumulated bill is more than what the Kenyan firm bought the property, estimated at Rwf900 million

Arthur Asiimwe, the RBA director-general, assured the legislators that his institution would move into the new premises next month.

"The work was delayed by contract-related issues, but all shall be complete by next month. We hope to move soon since the final modifications are done,” said Asiimwe.

The rental arrears

It is not yet clear who will foot the bill for the rent arrears, although Asiimwe said it would require consultations between respective stakeholders.

When the premises was alleged to have been sold off, the broadcaster never left, despite the fact that the investor immediately broke ground. Construction works started, with those on the multi-storey complex in downtown Kigali still ongoing.

"I can assure you that RBA (then Orinfor), did not sell their current premises. In this regard, we will involve all respective stakeholders to help us settle the investor’s bill,” Asiimwe said.

Dr Alivera Mukabaramba, the minister of State in charge of Social Affairs, said they were concerned with the accumulating arrears and urged RBA "to move to their own premises as soon as possible.”

"Rent accumulated has superseded the cost of the construction works and this is a big concern to the ministry. We ask RBA management to expedite the relocation process,” she said.

"We had to involve legal bodies to advise us on how to fund the final works of the refurbishment, and this,somehow delayed the completion of work at hand,” said Asiimwe.