Money for cattle stocking delayed

EASTERN PROVINCE NGOMA—Sector Executive Secretaries in Ngoma district have showed concern over Bank Populaire Kibungo branch’s delay to release money meant for cattle stocking commonly known as Girinka in the district. The leaders expressed their concern during a meeting aimed at analysing problems faced in their work, held at the district headquarters on Tuesday. During the meeting, the leaders lamented that the bank has refused to release the money disbursed by the government through Bank Populaire for “One Cow per Family.” The programme initiated by the President [Paul Kagame] is meant for poverty reduction and enhancement of productivity in rural areas. Julius Kansime, the district vice Mayor in charge of finance and economic development, said that the bank’s Director General, had informed the district that the funds were deposited in their bank but was not certain as to why the bank’s-Kibungo branch had delayed to release the money. He said after learning of the delays, the district started to follow up the issue to ensure that the money is released in time but nothing had materialised. But Kansime said: “You prepare the families meant to receive that loan as the district is still looking for a solution to the problem.” Sought for a comment, the bank’s branch manager was out of office and efforts to reach him on phone were also futile as his mobile phone was off. Other things discussed in the meeting were the poor services rendered to the residents especially at the village and cell level. At the meeting, Auguste Harerimana, the district Public Relations officer observed that rarely do residents find leaders in their offices during working hours. This, he said, tends to slow down the rate at which the problems of the residents are solved. Calling on leaders to understand the scope of their duties, Harerimana noted that the practice of leaving office during working hours undermines the policy of decentralisation. The members also complained of Frw1000 charged from each area teacher reportedly meant for health insurance even when they have it. Josephine Mutesayire, the district vice Mayor in-charge of social affairs, however, defended the charges, saying the money is meant for ‘pooling risk’ to raise money for health insurance of the vulnerable people across the district. The money is reportedly meant to be paid by every person seeking any service at all levels in the district. Ends