At a recent meeting, Kayonza District officials unveiled a five-year plan, which will guide development interventions over the next five years.
The Kayonza Leadership Retreat which convened on September 14-15, brought together local leaders, the district advisory council, security organs, partners and stakeholders to review the 2024-2025 Imihigo performance contract, in line with the five-year National Strategy for Transformation (NST2).
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The participants deliberated addressing issues in agriculture, housing needs, economic growth, infrastructure development, and healthcare among other key sectors of development.
Among the key resolutions of the retreat is a move to tackle the housing shortage affecting vulnerable families in the district. A new initiative to address housing needs called "Isano Dufitanye Iwacu,” was announced.
The initiative aims to provide homes for 60 families in need in six months.
"We are identifying the most vulnerable households and working closely with local businesses and community members to raise the necessary funds and materials,” said John Bosco Nyemazi, the Mayor of Kayonza District.
"Voluntary labour from residents, community work and local construction experts is also a key part of the project, ensuring that the community actively participates in the building process. This initiative came from our commitment to building at least five houses in each of the 12 sectors of our district.”
The district also laid out plans to constructs three Integrated Development Program (IDP) model villages.
The Kayonza District’s Development Plan goes beyond housing.
The plan prioritizes universal access to clean water and electricity. A new transmission line is planned to be established benefiting 25,000 residents.
Major water supply projects planned to address issues in access to clean water include the construction of the Muhazi Water Treatment Plant, the Kabonobono Water Supply System, and the rehabilitation of the Nyabombe Water Supply System.
The district&039;s five-year plan focuses on agricultural development.
Key initiatives include the expansion of the Ndego irrigation scheme for over 2,068 hectares and the implementation of land use techniques for 500 hectares in Kibare, Ihema, and Nasho catchments.
These efforts aim to support farmers and improve productivity in Kabare and Ndego sectors.
A new partnership between the Ministry of Agriculture and Heifer International seeks to promote the use of tractors in Kayonza District as a means to increase agricultural productivity.
In the livestock sector, farming practices will be modernized to increase agricultural output in the district.
The district plans to increase meat production from 4.3 tonnes to 6 tonnes daily. Under the second phase of Rwanda Dairy Development Project (RDDP II), the district plans to increase annual milk production from nine million liters to 12 million liters.
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To further advance modern breeding methods, a nitrogen storage plant will be built to make it easier for livestock farmers to receive semen in the due time.
Healthcare services in the district are also set for a boost, with fifteen health centres being equipped with medical equipment and a new one being constructed in Kageyo. To improve hygiene and sanitation, especially at health facilities, hospitals are set to be equipped with water treatment equipment.
Interventions that will create jobs include the construction of modern markets, conference halls, and shopping malls in Mukarange commercial, agro-processing plants, a slaughterhouse, and five new selling points to boost local trade.