RWAMAGANA - Rwanda National Police has begun a housing programme in the Eastern Province that will see over 250 police officers acquire houses of their own.

The programme was launched yesterday in Gishari sector of Rwamagana District, where construction of a house worth Rwf8m was kick-started by senior government officials.

The Minister of Internal Security, Sheikh Mussa Fazil Harerimana, who officiated the launch, said that the programme was long overdue, since Police as an institution, has the capacity to construct houses for its junior staff.

"We have the required manpower; access to bank loans and land…what we needed was just a vision and the will. We do not need foreign aid to help our constables acquire houses,” he said.

The Commissioner General of Police, Emmanuel Gasana, revealed that the beneficiaries of the housing scheme will primarily be junior police officers.

The Police boss added that the institution intends to eventually construct over 2,000 houses countrywide.

"This is a long term programme we have commenced. Each beneficiary will contribute 2.5 million Francs, money that CSS-Zigama has promised to give on friendly terms. The rest will be covered by the institution, especially labour,” he said.

Police Constable Abdul-Karim Kazoba, the first beneficiary of the housing programme, was full of praises for the institution and government in general.

"I never expected to own a house any time soon. I am only two years old in the police force,” he said joyously.

The launch was attended by several government officials including the Eastern Province Governor, Dr. Ephraim Kabaija.

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