Musanze DISTRICT advisory council last week passed a Rwf15.3 billion budget for the 2015/16 financial year with  infrastructure development top priority.

The annual budget increased by Rwf2 billion, from Rwf13.3 billion in 2014/15 to Rwf15.3 billion for the 2015/16 financial years.

According to the allocations in the new budget, Rwf7.3 billion ,representing 46.5 per cent, will be injected into the infrastructure sector, which officials say will be a major catalyst for the district’s development.

The district will embark on construction of classrooms, the proposed Nyange Health Centre ,and water distribution in Gataraga, Remera, Nkotsi, Kinigi, Muhoza, Busogo sectors

Over Rwf1.1 billion will be invested in upgrading Ruhengeri Hospital to a referral hospital.

The funds will cover construction, maintenance and rehabilitation of public roads, contribute to rural electrification and maintenance of public lighting in Musanze town.

The budget will also be used to rehabilitate feeder roads and construction of modern latrines in schools and in health centres ,among others.

Over half a billion will be used in the construction of 30 model houses in ‘green villages’.

In agriculture, part of the budget will go towards the construction of 150 hectares of radical terraces in various sectors as a way of combating soil erosion in sloppy areas.

In livestock, funds were allocated toward increasing the number of Gir’inka beneficiaries and vaccination of distributed cows.

Pierre Claver Bagirishya, The executive secretary of Musanze District, said that Rwf13.6 billion will come from the central government and development partners, which represents 91.2 per cent while the district will generate 1.4 bilion representing 8.8 per cent.

He said that among the challenges the district faces are; limited resources such as clean water and electricity, and executing the district master plan.

Need to boost own revenues

Raphael Rurangwa, the president of the district council, urged the district officials to think of other opportunities that can help them generate more internal revenues.

He said that last year, the domestic revenues collected were low compared to the set target where only Rwf1.1 billion, representing 61 per cent of the target was collected.

He said there is need for district officials to work hard to ensure the projects are implemented

He said that the implementation of the programmes set by the district council should be owned up by all the district stakeholders and residents.

"Our district is densely populated and is a tourist destination, we have to ensure the way we welcome tourists is effective and our fertile soil is cultivated to generate more revenues, and work with banks to improve profits,” said Rurangwa.

Residents welcomed the budget saying it would help change lives.

"We are happy that the district is constructing roads but there are many rural residents who suffer from lack of clean water and have no access to electricity, we appeal to the district to extend more water in rural areas,” said Egide Munyeshyaka, a resident in Musanze town.