WESTERN PROVINCE

KARONGI —The Minister of Natural Resources, Stanslas Kamanzi, has called on Rwandans to ensure safety of the planted trees saying they will generate huge incomes in the near future.

He was addressing residents of the Gitesi Sector in Karongi district during the closing of the National Tree Planting on Saturday. The function was held on the peak of the Gitesi Sector hill, where a number of trees were planted.

According to the district Mayor, Bernard Kayumba, a total of 2.4 million trees were planted in the district.

The minister pointed out that income enough to sustain the whole sector population could be generated if all the trees are well protected.

"If you protect these trees we have planted, poverty in Gitesi Sector will be history,” he said, adding that if fully conserved the area would soon be a hub of timber that will act as a source of employment.

He explained that trees are generally harvested in a period of five years.

"I am very sure that you will be planning to set up an industry as a result of your profitable forests very soon. This industry will be a source of your income,” he said.

In order to monitor the trees, the minister promised to visit the area between January and February next year.

At the function, the newly appointed Governor of the Western Province, Celestin Kabahizi promised to become a special advisor to the Sector that is said to be the poorest among other Sectors of the district.

"I will be a special advisor to this Sector in the struggle to eradicate poverty that has escalated here. I know together we shall win,” he said.

The event was attended by different public and private organisations including the National Police, Rwanda Defence Forces, The Clinton Foundation, UNHCR, and Rwanda Environmental Management Authority (REMA) among others.

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