MUHANGA - Heavy rains, over the weekend, destroyed property and plantations worth millions of francs in Muhanga District.

Sources claim that one person, Jean Claude Ntaganda, 22, an employee of Urukundo Foundation was also struck dead by lightning. The incessant rains kept area residents indoors and businesses paralysed.

Pascal Mbonimana, an area resident, said that the rains damaged his newly constructed house in Gahogo cell, in Nyamabuye sector. The damage was estimated at over Rwf3million.

Mbonimana blames the damage on the road construction activities in the area.

He said: "the rains wouldn’t have damaged my house if it was not for the road constructors who failed to make a water drainage system. It could be avoided if they were more careful.”

Mbonimana has appealed for compensation.

A sector official, Jean Baptiste Mugnunga said damages were caused by poor planning and urged the contractor, Cogerec to compensate the victims.

However, Deo Ntaruhunga, the Cogerec site manager denied his firm’s culpability, saying it was a natural disaster.

 He said: "The damage was not as a result of the construction plans and we are not to blame. We had disastrous rains even in the past and that is why we are repairing and constructing these roads,.” Ntaruhunga said.

A local leader, Jean Claude Dukuzumuremyi, also blamed the contractor for allegedly blocking the drainage system.

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