BUGESERA - Bugesera District has set a budget of Rwf9 billion for the 2011-2012 fiscal year with Rwf3.4bn earmarked for development projects.

The Mayor, Louis Rwagaju, told The New Times in Nyamata, yesterday, that agriculture and infrastructure development have the lion’s share.

"The district was characterised by severe hunger and famine due to long dry spells. We are embarking on crop production, modern farming and feeder road construction,” he said.

Boniface Ntirenganya, the Director of Planning and Economic Development in the Eastern Province, said electricity and water connectivity in the district will also be part of the priorities.

Ntireganya disclosed that a road connecting the district with Ngoma and Rwamagana will be rehabilitated.

He added that land reclamation to pave way for rice growing, will also be catered for.

"There are rice projects that are in the pipe line...some of the money will thus help to increase rice production in the district.”

A resident of Ruhuha sector Richard Mutarambirwa, said that the budget allocation is people friendly.

He noted that projects aimed at creating a hunger-free society had previously been underemphasised.

"If we can have total food security, we would be ready for full scale development. Our leaders should remain focused on improving people’s livelihood.”

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