Editor,

I wish to clarify on the story that was published in your newspaper on Saturday 31st October 2009. In an article entitled "Top official suspended over Rwf 100 million tender”.

In the story you indicted that the Executive Secretary of Kigali City Nkurikiyinka Dieudonne illegally authorized a company to construct roads in Nyarutarama, Gasabo District.

It is true the Executive Secretary was suspended by Kigali City Executive Committee on 28th October 2009 following investigations by the Public Prosecution Agency over the management of a tender to construct stone paved roads in Nyarutarama.

In 2008 a company called ECAN legally won the tender through Rwanda Public Procurement Agency (RPPA) to construct 9 km of stone paved roads.

However, during the execution of the works there were irregularities in inflating prices and also undertaking additional work that was not included in the contract.

These prices were approved by both the city Engineer Karimunda Solomon who was in charge of the project and the technical supervision company called TECOS and also consequently approved by the executive secretary.

After these approvals ECAN was paid over Frw 108 Million for the shoddy work done on the construction of these roads.

After the discovery of these malpractices in April this year Kigali City Council requested the police to conduct an investigation on this case and also immediately suspended the city engineer in charge of the project. 

In order to recover this money Kigali city has decided to sue ECAN and also the members of staff who may have been involved in this scam.

In doing so Kigali City also suspended the Executive Secretary Mr. Nkurikiyinka Dieudonne to let justice take its course.

Kigali City would like to reiterate its commitment to fighting corruption and working with officials that are clear of any irregularities. For it is our mandate to provide better service and to properly manage public funds.

Rangira Bruno
Public Relations and Communications Officer
Kigali City Council

Ends