Eastern Province

GATSIBO- The acting Mayor of Gatsibo district has expressed optimism over his short stint appointment.
Hyporate Ndamanyi, who has already been the acting district executive secretary, was on Sunday appointed by an extra-ordinary district advisory council meeting, as the acting mayor of the district before the provincial governor chairs a meeting to appoint the interim mayor.

He was given two days to lead formally occupy his new posting which some local commentators referred to as ‘the shortest leadership calling ever’, before the meeting approves the interim mayor on tuesday.

In an exclusive interview with The New Times on Sunday, Ndamanyi said that despite being given such a short  time frame to lead the district, he contends that there is a lot of work to be done.

‘As my new calling  has just been approved by the advisory council meeting, I have been from now, appointed the acting Gatsibo district mayor.

It is not an easy task for me to take up leadership given the background of my appointment. However I am optimistic to serve this short stint within the best of my capability,’ he said.

Ndamanyi, who was immediately tasked to call for an extra-ordinary meeting of local leaders to calm the situation, said the district is under some form of tension and cooperation is needed to over come it.

‘We have lost three top officials… This is something that creates different speculations among residents but I am working in close conjunction  with local leaders to calm the situation,’ he said. 

Asked whether he can take up as the job of interim mayor come this tuesday, Ndamanyi expressed confidence that he has what it takes to lead the district.

‘Given a go a head to lead as the interim mayor, it can not be a surprise to me since I have been in this leadership field for quite some time.

I am ready to perform my duties if called upon to do so,’ he said.

The Gatsibo district leadership committee was on Sunday dissolved by the advisory council, after receiving numerous resignation letters from the district Mayor, Jean Marie Vianney Murego, his vice in charge of economic affairs, Bossa Rwemalika and the vice mayor in charge of social affairs, Yvette Dusenge.

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