EASTERN PROVINCE NGOMA — The Eastern Province Governor, Ephraim Kabaija has directed district leaders to close down bars where people fight after drinking. Kabaija issued the directive on Wednesday in Sake, Ngoma district where he had gone to meet local residents in order to listen to their problems. His warning was a reaction to recent police report that ranked Ngoma the first district in the province with a high number of crimes in the past three months overtaking Nyagatare which was previously the first. Common crimes like fighting were attributed to excessive drinking. Without mentioning the number of crimes, Kabaija said that most fights were between couples. “You men who spend most of the time in bars and start beating your wives when you get home, you better change before you are forced to change,” he said, calling on district leaders to step up a campaign against the vice and other security threats. “Any bar where fights are registered should be closed until the owner ensures enough security that can prevent such fights,” he said adding: “You have a lot of developmental activities you should be attending to other than drinking and fighting.” At the meeting, it was disclosed that unknown people had for the past three days been pelting Genocide survivors’ houses in Kibungo sector with stones. To this, Kabaija called on the police and other authorities to follow up the matter to bring the perpetrators to book. “Rwanda will not develop if there is still disunity,” he said. “Disunity doesn’t go with development but rather with poverty.” He stressed that cooperation among Rwandans was core to achieving the country’s vision. The governor had earlier visited some developmental activities in Gashanda sector. These include terraces made by genocide convicts sentenced to community service (TIG) and the 51km road surrounding Lake Sake which is being constructed by Rwanda Demobilization and Reintegration Commission (RDRC). Ends
