Gov’t contributes to Horn of Africa relief

Rwanda pledged US$100,000 towards supporting the famine ravaged Horn of Africa region, especially in Somalia.The pledge was made by Prime Minister Bernard Makuza on behalf of the Government, during a pledging conference on the drought in the Horn of Africa, convened in Addis Ababa by the Chair of the African Union.

The conference was organised to raise resources and awareness among member states and the wider international community towards alleviating the plight of the affected population in the region.

The meeting was attended by AU member states as well as invited delegations from the international community.

Present also were Heads of State from Equatorial Guinea, Djibouti, the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, the President of the Federal Transitional Government of Somalia, the President of AfDB and the High Representative of the Chairperson of the AU on Somalia, Jerry Rawlings.Total financial contributions at the conference amounted to US$351 million while those in kind amounted to US$28 million.
 
17, 000 to sit TVET exams

Technical and vocational students are set to sit exams under the new TVET curriculum that is now under the jurisdiction of the Workforce Development Authorities (WDA). Established in 2009, WDA is in charge of regulating, promoting and guiding the implementation of TVET system, which covers vocational schools, technical schools and polytechnics. Previously, students in these institutions sat examinations set by the Rwanda National Examination Council (RNEC) at the Senior Six level, which were theoretical in nature. Speaking to The New Times, the Director General of WDA, Jerome Gasana, said that the examinations would be carried out under the new curricula. He, however, stated that when conducting the national examinations, WDA would seek support from RNEC. A total of 17, 820 students are expected to sit for the examinations slated to kick-off on August 29.

Police impound 1,000 motorcycles

The Commandant of Traffic Police, Chief Supt. Vincent Sano, disclosed that over 1,000 motorcycles were seized in August alone for violating traffic rules. The offences include, transporting more than one passenger, and accepting to transport passengers who don’t wear helmets and the lack of insurance and licenses. The traffic police officer explained that locking away the motorcycles is one of the measures taken lately to curb the alarming number of accidents mainly caused by the motorcycles. Police records indicate that 70 to 80 per cent of road accidents involved motorcycles.

Rwandan contingent in Darfur provides medi-care to over 2,000

The Rwandan contingents in the United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) participated in a seven-day medical campaign in North Darfur that offered free medical care to more than 2,000 people, mainly women and children. The operation, dubbed "Operation Haboob Chase II”, was an initiative of UNAMID Force Commander, Lt. Gen Patrick Nyamvumba. The campaign began on August 17 as part of efforts to address the needs of the local population, offer them medical assistance and strengthen UNAMID relations with the host communities. The operation was jointly conducted by the Nepalese Special Forces with support from Mongolian Level II Hospital and Rwandan protection forces and medical personnel. The locals received treatment for various cases including eye and ear infections, cardiovascular illnesses, hypertension, abdominal disorders, dental and skin infections.

Methane gas extraction barge now afloat

Government officials, development partners and managers of Contour Global, on Thursday gathered on the shores of Lake Kivu to set off the state-of-the-art methane gas extraction barge. The ceremony also saw the ground breaking of the 25 megawatt power plant site. The project’s 25 megawatts is expected to increase Rwanda’s power capacity by 40 per cent and lower the cost of electricity. Kivuwatt project is a subsidiary of Contour Global, a New York based international power company. Speaking at the event, the State Minister for Energy and Water, Eng. Colletha Ruhamya, said that energy remains a key driver for social economic growth, observing that Rwanda had prioritised energy production in its agenda. The CEO of Contour Global, Joseph Brandt, described the project as a landmark since it is the only one globally with such sophisticated technology. Currently Rwanda’s domestic power comes from hydropower, limited solar energy and diesel-fired energy among others.

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