KIGALI - The Eastern Province Investors Forum, which brings together the business community of the Eastern Province, Friday, handed over a cheque of Rwf45m raised amongst themselves which will see some 480 families get modern housing.

The money, which was delivered by the business community during a dinner gala to celebrate the victory of President Paul Kagame in last year’s Presidential elections, will help house underprivileged families in the province.

The new Governor of the Province, Dr. Aissa Kirabo Kacyira, received the funds which will go towards the Anti-Nyakatsi drive, on behalf of President Kagame. It is part of the business community’s plan to continue supporting the President in his new term of office.

The Vice Chairman of RPF, Christophe Bazivamo, who represented the President, commended the business community for a job well done and their continued support of the government.

"The pledge you made during elections has come to pass. You promised to support him which you did, be it in terms of raising resources needed and mobilizing masses, and today, you have shown the will to continue supporting him in his endeavours,” Bazivamo said.

He urged the business community to champion development in the province and make it the most developed part of the country, just like they emerged the best province during the election period.

Bazivamo said that a private sector that has an upper hand in the development process is what the government wants, and the Eastern Province has set an example that should be followed by other provinces.

On her part, Kirabo said that her reign couldn’t have began on a better note, with the commitment of the private sector already showing the interest to support her pursue development aspirations of the province.

She pledged to continue working hard with the people of the Eastern Province to continue developing, adding that she is already feeling the cooperation of the masses.

Kirabo urged the residents of the province to take full advantage of the province, referring to the province as "a gate way into the region.”

"This is a province that has border access points into 3 countries of East Africa, Uganda, Burundi and Tanzania and it should therefore take advantage of the opportunities brought about by the customs union and the common market,” she told the traders.

"The Eastern Province can be a channel through which goods to other parts of the country and countries like DRC, which don’t have such advantages, can be delivered, making the province a hub for trade. It is a great opportunity which should be exploited,” she added.

On their part, the traders pledged to continue supporting President Kagame in his 7-year mandate by using their resources to be part of the nation building process.

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