NYABIHU – The effort to recover cows from non-deserving beneficiaries under the "Girinka” program is moving slowly in Nyabihu and Rubavu districts, with some residents keeping hold of the cows, a local leader said.

According to Paul Jabo, the Executive Secretary of the Western Province, the delay is due to the fact that a section of residents had sold off the cows and have instead bought other exotic breeds.

"The delay we have in Nyabihu is caused by the beneficiaries who sold their cows and instead bought other breeds,” Jabo said. "We have appealed to Agriculture Ministry to settle this controversy.”

He added that in the Western province, Nyabihu is lagging behind followed by Rubavu where residents are hiding the fraudulently acquired cows.

"We suggested that those people who sold the indigenous cows and bought other breeds should refund the money,” Nyabihu Mayor Damascène Ndagijimana said. 

However, Jabo said that refunding the money is difficult because the exact amount can not be determined. 

"The best way is to leave the issue to Agriculture Ministry to decide, rather than the district fighting with the residents,” Jabo said.

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