Dear editor,Most of eastern province and other upcountry providences in Rwanda are pushing owners of houses in town centres to have them renovated. I have two comments against the completely ‘good process’. I say this because the idea of building clean modern towns cannot be challenged by anybody. However, what is intriguing is the fact that the decisions taken by authorities do not have thepeople’s voice. ‘Some’ local authorities still have the old authoritative minds of not involving the people in decision making as far as policy making and impla-ntation is concerned. Local leaders never asked the owners of the houses how and when the program should start, they just gave them deadlines to start renovating. They further never cared to consider the finances involved and the convenience it deserved. Another thing that emerged when some owners of the houses were not able to renovate the houses within the specified period is that they had to borrow money from banks. This was after the authorities assured them to get loans from banks. If there is any institution that is still frustrating people, then it is the bank (generally). Banks have refused to give them money by giving excuses based on unnecessary technicalities forgetting that their money is paid back with interest. Even those who get the loans, do so after big sweat. So why should all this happen? Local leaders must develop the understanding that the people have to be involved in all development process, in any case development is meant for them. Kayonza
