Unauthorized buildings in all districts in the Eastern Province will soon be demolished, authorities have warned.

The warning came yesterday during a one-day consultative meeting that brought together local leaders, residents and other stakeholders in the province. The meeting was held at Kirehe District headquarters.

It was recently established that many structures were coming up without approval from the relevant authorities.

In Kayonza town, for example, 47 houses were earmarked for demolition. The Executive Secretary of Mukarange Sector – in which the town is located – Sebineza Kiyonga said, the constructions were carried out illegally.

"There are several houses that were constructed contrary to the town’s master plan… the culprits were forewarned, but turned a deaf ear. There is no shortcut but to bring them down.,” he said, noting that most of the houses were of poor standard.

"Most of the houses were built hurriedly to avoid detection by authorities…they are potential hazards as some of them have developed cracks already. People use soft bricks to put up a building in three days…they start on Friday and by Monday the house is complete. So, in removing them we are actually saving lives”.

Odette Uwamariya, the Governor of the province, equally warned grassroots leaders who let such houses come up under their watch, saying that disciplinary action will be taken against those found culpable.

"Local leaders are partly to blame…this is no secret, some of them are corrupt and inefficient. A house cannot be constructed from foundation to completion without the knowledge of leaders. Houses will be destroyed, but local leaders too, will take share of the punishment,” she said.

Residents however said the demolition would be wrong, claiming that the constructions were done with the knowledge of local leaders.

"I live just on the side of the road, where people pass daily, including the leaders. They can’t claim I built this house in two days…there should be some considerations as they propose the infamous demolition. I spent Rwf 2 million; I borrowed from the bank and have a plan to build a better house that suits the so called master plan in future. Authorities should give us time to upgrade to what the master plan demands,” said Jacqueline Mujawamariya, whose house will soon be brought down.

Another resident, who requested not to be identified, told The New Times that the problem was exacerbated by leaders’ corrupt tendencies.

"The issue of house construction will remain complex as long as leaders remain corrupt. One person may be allowed to build a house, while another is not. Yet, the two use the same building materials in the same area…there is something fishy.

When some people are favored, while others are unjustly treated, then the whole process remains suspicious,” said the source.

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