KIGALI - The Mayor of Kigali City, Dr Aisa Kirabo Kacyira, took the boldest move this week and apologized to residents of Jabana, Gasabo, for not taking action when the city was informed of the dangers posed by stone mining activities in their area.

Kirabo made the apology during a visit to the area mid this week.

According to a source that was at the meeting between the Mayor and the residents, the seemingly humbled mayor promised to act as quickly as possible to solve the problem.

Kirabo was last week grilled by the City Advisory Council for negligence and failure to address the concerns of Jabana residents about a stone quarry prompting the then  Minister of Local Government, Christopher Bazivamo,  to call for disciplinary measures against the Mayor.

The stone quarry, owned by a Chinese firm, is said to be emitting dust and smoke, hence exposing area residents to health hazards.

It was also reported that the explosives the company uses to blast the rocks was causing cracks in houses belonging to nearby residents leading to damage and loss of property worth millions of francs.

"I am sorry for all that happened to you and for my failure to act at the time when this issue was raised,” the mayor is quoted as saying.

She promised the residents to come up with a detailed compensation report before the end of next week. It will then be passed on to the mining company and the ministry in charge of mines for consideration.

Ends