NORTHERN PROVINCE

GICUMBI — Owners of commercial buildings that do not comply with the new urban plan have until March 1 this year to renovate their premises.

"Failure to do this would lead to closure of business”, warned Ildephonse Butera, district Vice Mayor for economic affairs
He further explained that all commercial buildings which did not meet modern standards are expected to have been refurbished by June 1 this year.

The decision to give the town a facelift was reached late last year at a meeting attended by district authorities, Sector Executive Secretaries, civic leaders and members of the Private Sector Foundation.

According to Adeline Kanyamugenge, the district official in-charge of urban planning, the new plan covers Byumba, Kageyo, Rukomo and Muhazi trading centres.

"Each urban site is comprised of high, medium and low rated commercial or residential buildings including a modern market, schools and a dispensary,” said Kanyamugenge.

Each high rated building is projected to cost over Rwf40 million, medium Rwf15m to Rwf30m while the low cost ones are estimated at between Rwf10m to Rwf15m.

The district Mayor Bonane Nyangezi argues that the urban plan is in line with Rwanda’s development strategies.

"Urban planning is being carried out in all districts as part of the Vision 2020,” he said, urging those without financial ability to refurbish their houses to seek loans from banks.

However, members of the Private Sector Foundation in a separate interview expressed reservations about the loan scheme, fearing banks could attach their houses in the event of defaulting. 

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