A proposed master plan for Nyagatare District, Eastern Province was presented to stakeholders, yesterday, during national celebrations to mark the World Habitat Day in Kigali City.

According to the draft, the plan will be implemented over the next 15 years at a tune of over Rwf 319.1 billion.
The plan is, however, yet to be forwarded to the Cabinet for approval. It is still in the hands of the Ministry of Infrastructure.

According to a presentation by Alex Karekezi, a local architect, the planned infrastructure which include roads, sports facilities, hospital, and schools will cost over Rwf 247.9 billion, utilities Rwf 185.3 billion and telecommunication Rwf 7.3 billion.

The new town will be expanded towards Busana Hill in the northeastern part of the current town and merged with Barija and Nsheke areas.

A ‘knowledge city’ will also be created around the Umutara Polytechnic University and Nyagatare hospital, as well as an artificial lake in the northeastern part of the town, where aquatic life will be developed.

During the second phase of the implementation of the master plan, the town will expand towards Ryabega, while in the third phase it will be extended from River Umuvumba up to Mirama Hill. 

Also to be constructed in the next 15-year implementation plan are a football stadium, eco-tourist areas, as well as community farms, modern cowsheds and facilities where milk and its products will be collected.

A modern bus terminal will also be built at Ryabega and bicycle paths  along the roads will also be constructed.
It is estimated that Nyagatare will have a population of 200,000 by 2015. In 1994, Nyagatare was a inhabited by about 1,000 people. Between 2002 and 2007, the population grew by 15.3 percent from 8,437 to 14,895 inhabitants. Currently, the population stands at 23,188.

Nyagatare becomes the second district in the Eastern Province to have a draft master plan unveiled, after Rwamagana.

The only districts country wide whose master plans are currently in the implementation stage are Rusizi, Karongi and Nyarugenge.

Alphonse Nizeyimana, Kigali City Vice Mayor in charge of Finance and Economic Development, said in an interview that the Physical Detailed Master Plan (PDMP) for Gasabo and Kicukiro districts will be completed next year.
"But that doesn’t stop us from carrying out investments in these areas. The PDMP will find us in the implementation process,” Nizeyimana said.

The two districts’ PDMP is scheduled to cost about Rwf 2.4 billion.

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