GICUMBI - Residents of Byumba Sector, Gicumbi District, have asked newly elected local leaders to prioritise road rehabilitation.

Those who spoke to The New Times said the current poor state of roads hinders faster economic development of their town.

"These poor roads are affecting our business especially during the rainy season when most of us are forced to close due to mud,” said Damien Abahe, a retail trader, adding that if the town had tarmac roads, it would boost business.

Another resident, Joseph Munyarungabo, a motor-cyclist said: "What we want from the new district leadership is urgent construction of roads and streamlining the drainage system. We want our town to look like other towns in the country.”

Theogene Kamuhire, appealed to the new leadership to improve on water supply.

"We only get water in the wee hours; we don’t know why, so, the authorities should address this problem,” he said.

When contacted, the Executive Secretary of the district, Janviere Mukabaranga, said plans to rehabilitate the roads are underway.

"We have already budgeted for both construction of roads and drainage system in the 2011-2012 budget. I request the residents to be patient,” she  said.

"We are also working on the city’s master plan and we hope it will address several issues.”

The district’s 2011-2012 budget is over Rwf9 billion and according to the officials, much of it has been allocated for infrastructural development.

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