KIREHE - Kirehe District has adopted the use of Geographical Information System (GIS) in its development planning.

GIS is a method of managing, analyzing, and displaying geographic information on easily understood, computer-generated maps.The district was assisted by Partners In Health to develop the GIS.

According to Fabien Munyaneza who presented the GIS to district officials yesterday, the district will benefit from the various types of information on the map to start desired development programs.

Munyaneza said that the GIS will help administrators involved in planning, to know how suitable different areas of the district are for development.

"The GIS map shows where various conditions exist…major agricultural land, surface water, swamps, and highly raised land, etc. Planners will use this information to make proper development decisions,” he said.

The Mayor of the district, Protais Murayire, said that GIS will guide them as they develop district infrastructure, including water, power, sanitation, roads, health and education.

He noted that the GIS was a new opportunity for the district to identify the potentials needed for development.

He added that identifying priorities and gaps has not been effective due to poor reporting and poor coordination of information presented.

"There is no doubt that the GIS will offer us significant benefits in terms of strengthening planning and coordination. One potential example is the presentation of water supply information...we can now tell where people walk longer distances to access water, etc,” he said.

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