EASTERN PROVINCE

NYAGATARE — The district has rolled out a draft master plan for the construction of the new town. According to the plan, which is currently in parliament pending approval, the new town will be curved out of three sectors.

Once approved, it would cover a radius of over 160 kilo meters, to accommodate about 19,000 people. The sectors to benefit include, Rwimiyaga, Rwempasha and Tabagwe.

The draft master plan prepared by Edgt-Tecsult, a joint consultant firm, was on Tuesday presented before the district leaders. Heads of institutions, and staff from the Ministry of Infrastructure also attended the function.

Commenting on the plan, Nyagatare vice mayor in charge of economic development, Anselm Rurangwa said the plan, once approved would give the town a new face lift.

Camille Marara, an expert from the Ministry of Infrastructure who represented the minister at the function, said that it is the government’s plan to modernise all urban centres countrywide.

"The government plan is to build modern towns. I am sure that this will be achieved soon as it is in our vision 2020,” Marara said.

He revealed that the urban development plans for Karongi, Rusizi, Kigali and Rwamagana have been already approved by Cabinet.

To come out with the draft, the planners collected existing data on Nyagatare urban area, including physical features, social and economic infrastructure, various stakeholders (institutions and civil society), and inventory of current projects in area. They also looked at urban and regional problems.

Marara told the reporters after presentation that they were happy with the draft plan. Adding that some little information missed out and that it would be included at the second stage of data collection. The second phase would seek information on problems and suggested solutions to urban development among other things, before coming out with the final document.

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