NORTHERN PROVINCE

GICUMBI — The Mayor of Gicumbi district has given landlords with underdeveloped plots in Byumba town up to June next year to develop them.

Addressing the Gicumbi business community early this week, Bonane Nyangezi, warned that those who fail to develop their plots by the set date could lose them.

"Those of you who own underdeveloped plots have six months to put up houses, failure to do so the plots will be allocated to other people who are able to develop them as stipulated by district rules,” he warned. He said the Byumba urban plan was already out and reminded landlords of the need to modernise the town.

"Strategies should be laid out immediately to find a lasting solution to the presence of slums and incomplete structures or underdeveloped plots around Byumba town,” he added, also appealing to those with old permanent buildings to renovate them.

Participants at the meeting however, attributed the failure to develop their plots to the lack of funds.

"Many buildings have remained incomplete and plots underdeveloped around Byumba town for the last fifteen years, due to financial constraints on the part of the owners,” said a member.

In response, the Mayor advised the landlords to seek loans from banks, explaining that the move was aimed at giving the town a facelift.

Also present at the meeting was the chairman of the Gicumbi district Private Sector Gratien Mupenzi and the Executive Secretary of the Byumba Sector Jean Marie vianey Gahano.

Ends