Power hiccups dominate MPs’ reaction to State of Nation Address

Lawmakers have described an economic growth rate of 6.6 per cent this year as impressive, but criticised the energy sector.The MPs were yesterday reacting to President Paul Kagame’s State of the Nation Address delivered on Monday. The Address highlighted the country’s strong economic performance in 2013, including major achievements in investments, mining and poverty alleviation.“I was particularly impressed with our mineral sector advancement. The trend should put to bed naysayers who claim we have no minerals. Generally, the steps we continue to make in economic development are impressive. It gives the hope that we will deliver on development agenda,” said MP Athanasie Gahondogo, a member of the Standing Committee on Education, Technology, Culture and Youth.MP Amb. Zeno Mutimura, the chairperson of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Security, raised concerns over “poor service delivery in the country.”“The State of the Nation Address was impressive and on the spot on many issues of national importance. Facts and figures in the Address made my day. Service delivery, however, was alluded to as an area where gaps are still very visible,” Amb. Mutimura said.‘Energy is pillar’Perrine Mukankusi, the chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on Economic Development and Finance, said: “I find that power is a key pillar of development. Everyone has a role to play, especially in understanding that the energy plan must be implemented without fail. We should focus on the role of the citizenry so that the energy plan is delivered. Rwandans should understand that when they get electricity, they must maximise its use to improve their livelihood.”She added that efforts to increase exports will enhance self-reliance.“It should also be compared to the imports by considering putting in efforts in ensuring that we import only those things that we need. The picture about minerals bringing in increased revenue is also impressive, there were many positives,” Mukankusi said.MP Caritas Mukandasira said many things stood out, including the fact that the mining sector fetched more revenue (Rwf30 billion in the first six months of 2013).“The President himself pointed out that more must be done as regards the generation of energy. I was particularly impressed with the efforts government is putting in improving the health of Rwandans, especially health insurance,” she said.MP Connie Bwiza, the chairperson of the Standing Committee on Economy and Trade, said an economic improvement of 6.6 per cent is good.“The only downside is energy. This affects the pace of our development. I regret energy that retards a lot,” Bwiza said.MP Jean Thierry Karemera, a member of the Public Accounts Committee, said the energy production needs to be scaled up significantly.

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Power hiccups dominate MPs’ reaction to State of Nation Address