WESTERN PROVINCE

RUSIZI — Three Members of Parliament have urged Rusizi district leaders to always be vigilant in order to prevent security threats.

The MPs, Emmanuel Gatera, Esperance Mwiza and Medriatrice Uwiteguye, all members the Security Commission in the Chamber of Deputies, made the remarks Thursday while meeting district leaders.

During the meeting held at the Mayor’s office, they discussed a series of issues concerning security in the area, especially around the borders.

Gatera, who is also the vice-president of the commission, said district leaders bear the responsibility of ensuring security and urged them to encourage residents to monitor security in their respective areas of residences and work places.

"It’s crucial for you as leaders to always be security conscious by being vigilant and to encourage all residents to be security watch dogs in their respective work and homes, especially those living around the frontiers,” MP Gatera said.

On poverty, the law makers urged leaders to work hard to improve their economic status. The MPs urged leaders to always rally residents behind government programmes.

To achieve development, the legislators said, the leaders needed to fight and desist from genocide ideology and other racial discrimination in the region.

During the same meeting, the Rusizi district Police Commander, Superintendent Francis Muheto noted that crime rate had decreased since April.

But he revealed that genocide ideology and rape cases had increased, especially during the 14th Genocide commemoration period. He said that they have beefed up security.

The MPs later visited Cyangugu Central Prison to assess the living conditions of inmates. Commenting on the conditions, the law makers said they were impressed.

Ends