NGOMA - Ngoma District has allocated Rwf350 million towards installation of street lights in its main town, Kibungo.

The money is part of the 2011-2012 district budget, according to Mayor, François Ntiyotwagira.

The district total budget is over Rwf8.6 billion.The Mayor was responding to residents’ concern over lack of street lights on the town streets.

Stressing the importance of street lights in fighting crime, Ntiyotwagira explained that the project was delayed due to budgetary constraints.

"Burglars and vandals prefer environments where they can't be seen so they can get away with crime. We shall spend money on security lights to deny them this,” he said.

Ntiyotwagira added that residents will also be encouraged to install security lights on their buildings.

"We want to ensure that houses remain well lit at night, especially near all entrances.”

Nathalie Uwimana, a student at INATEK, Kibungo, noted that with street lights residents will feel safer moving at night.

She lamented the fact that homes and businesses were overshadowed by darkness.

"There are areas that you can’t risk going after 6 p.m., especially when you are a woman. Female students and other women have been attacked by thieves. We have lost property...thieves take cover in darkness and snatch phones and bags from us,” she said.

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