The president of the Senate Bernard Makuza has reiterated the government’s commitment to improving the welfare of all Rwandans. He said that all Rwandans have equal access to socio-economic opportunities.

Makuza made the remarks on Saturday as senators joined Gishubi Sector residents in Gisagara District to prepare land for improved banana variety in Rugogwe Village. The area has had an old banana variety, which residents said could not help them develop as it was giving too little yield.

He said, in the past, Rwandans were oppressed by the discriminative politics, which culminated into the Genocide against the Tutsi in 1994.

However, he noted that a collective decision was taken to change the course of the Country and restore dignity to every citizen.

"That decision was not taken by foreigners. Actually some of them wished that we remain divided. That decision was taken by Rwandans,” he noted.

He said, since then, various programmes started with an aim to ensure all Rwandans equally enjoyed improved welfare and development.

Devt no mystery

Makuza said achieving development is the result of better planning, and that it is no mystery.

"We should cease to be talkers; we need to be pragmatic. Your decision to grow banana in a modern way, means Gisagara residents have decided to get better yield,” he said.

He said achieving development is a matter of making decision and getting determined to reach set goals. Residents welcomed the move to replace the old banana variety with the improved one.

Joseph Nzabakirana, resident of Rugogwe Village, father of three and one of the beneficiaries of the Umuganda exercise, said: "I used to get a yield bananas weighing three to five kilogramme from the old variety. But with the new variety I will be able to get a banana weighing 70 kilogrammes, which is very profitable. I will now be able to pay health insurance easily,” he said.

Genevieve Mukanzigiye, another area resident, said the government had helped them access fertilisers and subsidies and conducive payment modalities through cooperatives.

Farmers expressed concerns over access to organic fertilisers, but others said they had learnt how to make manure in form of composts, which can make them get desired yields.

The senators and residents planted 1,250 banana trees on about 1.5ha in Rugogwe Village. Residents requested that such Umuganda exercise be maintained to help many people access the new banana varieties.

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