NORTHERN PROVINCE

GICUMBI - Vulnerable groups within Kibali and Ngondole Cells in Byumba Sector were on Thursday cautioned against misusing donations offered to them by government and other development partners.

The caution follows past reports of marginalized residents of the area conniving with unscrupulous traders to sell selected Irish potatoes seeds donated to them by Byumba Anglican Church Diocese, instead of planting the seeds to guarantee their food security.

The warnings were echoed at Ruhenda health center by officials of Byumba Anglican Church Diocese (EER) and Byumba Sector representatives at a hand over ceremony of 10 pigs and other donations to Ngondole Cell residents.

"These donations are meant to eradicate poverty in this area and steer economic development. You should not misuse them because this discourages partners in development from providing further assistance to you”, said Byumba Sector Executive Secretary Jean Marie Vianey Gahano, who represented Mayor Bonane Nyangezi at the function.

Residents Representatives at the ceremony denied allegations leveled against them to the effect that they have been misusing donations, saying the Irish potatoes seeds donated to them by EER way back in 2003 were misappropriated and sold by the area Agronomist.

"The Irish potatoes improved variety  seeds were not handed over to us but were  sold by an Agronomist who we no longer remember his name or whereabouts”, said one Kibali marginalized lady, who came to the defense of the group.

The donations came from the Byumba Anglican Church Diocese, also included the construction of  a total of 20 Kraals to beneficiary pig farmers.

"Another consignments of 10 pigs shall be donated to beneficiary  marginalized residents of this area before the end of this year”, said Byumba Anglican Church Secretary Emmanuel Ngendahayo, representing Bishop Onesphore Rwaje. He further said Byumba Anglican Church Diocese has paid health insurance to over 500  marginalized residents of the area and carried out public health training for the said groups in five cells of Byumba Sector.

In a related development another church has offered assistance to area residents through the construction of a health centre.

Ruhenda Health center located within Ngondole Cell was constructed by Norwegian Church Aid (NCA). The health center which has both an  out patients and in patients departments has a  maternity and children wards.

"It will be in a position to handle over 12000 residents in five cells of this region upon completion”, said the Director of the health center Charles Nsengiyumva, while taking around guests at the health center.

The five Cells to be served by the health center include Ngondole, Kibali, Murama, Nyakabungo and Kivugiza.

The NCA Great Lakes representative Kjetil Reite said their humanitarian organization is committed to providing health facilities to Rwanda. "Norwegian Church Aid shall complete the expansion of Ruhenda health center, in addition to working together with government to promote healthcare countrywide”, said Reite.

Also present at the ceremony was Norwegian Church Aid Country Director Clemence Bideri, representatives of partners in development such as Safer Rwanda Christine Muhongerwa and Prison Fellowship Felix Bigabo including area grass root leaders.

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