The eradication of thatched houses, commonly known as Nyakatsi, is at its peak, according to officials in charge of the campaign.

In an interview with The New Times yesterday, Augustin Kampayana, the head of the Rural Settlement Task Force at the Ministry of Local Government, confirmed the development.

"The eradication of Nyakatsi has reached 99 percent in the whole country as per the official deadline of 30 June, and the remaining one percent is putting final touches on the houses,” he said.

He revealed that only two districts, Nyamasheke and Rusizi, were still behind schedule. He, however, added that the two areas had received iron sheets and houses were now nearing completion.

Kampayana stated that the vulnerable people who were the sole beneficiaries of the government led scheme, were categorised into categories O, A and B.

"The most vulnerable who were in group O and A got decent houses and the program is 99 percent complete countrywide,” he asserted.

"What remains now are people in category B who were able to support themselves but needed guidance to eradicate thatched houses and go for the decent ones”.

He said that 47,000 houses have so far been constructed countrywide.

According to Alphonse Munyetwari, the Governor of Southern Province, the eradication of thatched houses in his province has been achieved.

"The people have moved to their new homes and are very happy with the support the government rendered to them,” he said.

Ends