EASTERN PROVINCE

RWAMAGANA — Business in Rwamagana town has been paralysed after the district authorities ordered landlords to repaint all commercial buildings.

According to a circular dated May 6 2009, which was addressed to traders, this decision was reached at a recent security meeting held on May 4.

"We hereby inform you that all commercial building owners are required  from 06/05/2009, to have their properties painted white. Failure to do so, would lead to closure of those buildings by the district authorities in addition to imposition of a fine,” the letter signed by Mayor  Valens Ntezirembo, reads in part.

This is the second time the district authorities have issued such  a directive which has been effected  within a period of two years. On both occasions, traders have complained of not being given ample time.

"The official notification letter is dated May 2, but it reached us just yesterday (May 5). It is not only expensive on our side but the district authorities need to be informed that the short notice does not give us ample time to plan for such moves,” Yusufu Mohammed, one of the affected traders said.

The circular further says that the directive was reached in a bid to boost the town’s clean up programmes.

"A couple of months ago, we were ordered by the same authorities to paint our properties in  colours that feature on our National Flag. Though we were not consulted at all, we embraced the idea as one that borders on  Patriotism. Today we are told to replace these colours with plain white painting. This is an unfair and unrealistic decision,” another woman identified as mama Sinta complained.

"Repainting a building is very expensive- a 5 litre tin of paint, is currently going for  Rwf.6,000.”

Efforts to contact the Mayor for a comment were fruitless by press time.

Ends