KICUKIRO - President Paul Kagame visited Kicukiro district Friday afternoon to discuss and listen to residents’ views on issues in the area. While addressing a large gathering in Masaka sector, with all district local leaders present, Kagame emphasised that people’s problems should not deter progress as they should be solved in a timely and joint manner because it is easier that way. The community fronted several concerns – most revolving on the persistent touchy issue of land, especially during expropriation and construction activities.
KICUKIRO - President Paul Kagame visited Kicukiro district Friday afternoon to discuss and listen to residents’ views on issues in the area. While addressing a large gathering in Masaka sector, with all district local leaders present, Kagame emphasised that people’s problems should not deter progress as they should be solved in a timely and joint manner because it is easier that way.
The community fronted several concerns – most revolving on the persistent touchy issue of land, especially during expropriation and construction activities.
Before responding to the concerns that were raised, Kagame told the gathering that considering the country’s small size and big population, land should not be the only source of livelihood as the population is ever growing.
With a total area of some 26,798 square kilometres, and a population of approximately 10 million, Rwanda supports the densest population in Africa, with most people engaged in subsistence agriculture.
To solve land related problems, two things should be done, Kagame said, and done with government’s collaboration:
First is that the little land available should be used in a manner that makes it possible to maximise yields. To accomplish this, he said were qualified people and relevant government departments and ministries that are in place to help them.
Kagame suggested that the second antidote for the land problem would be if all people were not dependent on land for their livelihood. He pointed at the option of people getting involved in other activities that don’t rely on land, or don’t necessarily require much land.
The President also stressed the importance of the needy being supported in a sustainable manner. He noted that the objective of providing them with the much needed support is to help them be able to help themselves later on and stop being dependent.
"It is not good to have needy people who are always in need of support,” he emphasised.
What government desires, he said, was to help the needy be strong enough to cater for themselves, which is what all Rwandans deserve.
Ends