Ecobank Rwanda on November 25, joined residents of Masaka sector in Kicukiro district in planting trees during the monthly Umuganda, (community work), to preserve the environment and foster a greener future for Rwanda.
The event was graced by various government officials including Donatille Mukabalisa, the Speaker of Parliament, alongside members of the Parliament, Jean Claude Musabyimana, Minister of Local Government, Merard Mpabwanamaguru, the Vice-Mayor in charge of Urbanization and Infrastructure, City of Kigali and members of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), who are in Rwanda for EALA sessions.
Residents, government officials and the Ecobank team worked hand in hand, slashing, prooning, digging, planting, and nurturing saplings as they envisioned a more sustainable future for Rwanda. The atmosphere was one of collaboration, unity, and a shared vision for a greener tomorrow, one can tell.
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During the event, Carine Umutoni the Managing Director of Ecobank Rwanda Plc highlighted bank&039;s commitment to sustainability.
"At Ecobank, our commitment extends beyond financial services, we actively participate in various initiatives that are aimed at creating a positive impact on the lives of Rwandans and the country as a whole. She said
I would like to emphasize that maintaining good health is also connected to financial well-being. we encourage you to explore the range of Ecobank services, from digital solutions to savings options and diverse loans, to enhance and support your overall financial health." She added.
Vice-Mayor Mpabwanamaguru said "the initiative is a testament to the collective spirit that binds our nationals together and we are confident that your dedicated efforts will leave a lasting impact on our community you engaged with today.”
He added: The world is currently facing extraordinary climate change issues resulting in environmental problems that affect people’s lifestyle.
"The entire world therefore, needs to think and implement new approaches which are economically and environmentally friendly and preferably they must be nature-based solutions among which are the home-grown solutions as well as planting trees,” he noted.
Equally, Mukabalisa Donatille, expressed gratitude to the community participants, particularly the residents of Masaka Sector and urged them to responsibly maintain the newly planted trees, highlighting the benefits they will bring and their crucial role in sustaining the environment for continued contributions.
"We all know the importance of trees, they bring us fresh air to breathe, rainfall for cultivation, their roots hold the soil and protect us from erosion that damages some of the infrastructure.”
"Therefore, you should remember that if you cut one you must plant two or three so that we will never see our bare mountains,” she said.
Mukabalisa also recalled some of the government’s programs including participating in birth registration programs and transcribing deaths data in the birth register to help have information to support government planning.
"If you don’t have clear information about the demographic, you will not be able to give them something that will help them in sustainable development,” she noted.
She further stressed that from November 25 to December 10, Rwanda will join the rest of the world to celebrate the campaign against Gender Based Violence (GBV), urging them to embrace those days for a safer individual, especially victims.
"You know the dangers of violence, and what we want in our country is a safe and prosperous society. This is not possible when there is violence in the family. It is therefore imperative that we stand against this violence so that it does not harm Rwandans,” she said.