SOUTHERN PROVINCE

HUYE — The Institute of Scientific and Technological Research (IRST) has donated over 40,000 tiles meant to roof houses for the vulnerable Genocide survivors and other desperate residents in the Huye district.

The materials were handed over on Tuesday by Director General of IRST, Dr Jean Baptiste Nduwayezu.

Dr Nduwayezu, said that helping the vulnerable in society is part of their social responsibility.

"We are committed to helping find practical solutions to problems faced by ordinary people through research and other humanitarian interventions,” he said.

Receiving the donation, Aimable Twagiramutara, the district Mayor thanked IRST and other institutions for the support that he said has helped solve the problem of housing for vulnerable people.

"We are grateful to IRST for heeding our call to help fellow countrymen in acute need of housing. This is among the many positive responses we have received from institutions and organisations operating in the district,” said Twagiramutara.

According to the Mayor, the donated tiles will be used to complete the roofing of over 100 houses including kitchens and toilets.

The campaign to construct houses for vulnerable Genocide survivors and other vulnerable people has attracted intervention from all sectors including government. The government has previously provided construction materials including iron sheets and cement.

The beneficiaries and other members of the communities help with the construction work through community work commonly known as Umuganda.

Figures provided by the district indicate that over 2,500 people are in need of housing, but the Mayor says there is remarkable progress in addressing the problem.

"Construction work is on going in the different Sectors. So far we have 547 houses at the finishing stage. We hope to have solved the housing problem by the end of the year,” he said.

The IRST has previously opened up research stations in different parts of the country including Kigali, Ngoma, Rusizi, Nyagatare, Nyange, Musanze and Huye.

Nduwayezu, said these research stations seek to find practical solutions to problems faced by local communities. The institute has also embarked on an ambitious project of producing bio-diesel which has largely been successful. A bio-diesel powered car has already managed to hit the road.

Ends