Improving household incomes a priority this year, says Mayor

SOUTHERN PROVINCE NYAMAGABE — The Mayor of Nyamagabe District, Alphonse Munyentwari has said that improving household incomes will be the major priority this year for the district authorities , by allocating the biggest percentage of the district budget to economic development activities. He said this last Friday while speaking on the sidelines of the Open Day activities for the district. Munyentwari explained that despite the successes attained in areas such as good governance last year, improving household incomes remains a challenge in the area. ‘We have budgeted to spend close to Rwf.4 billion in infrastructural development and agriculture. It is our hope that this sort of development will spur growth in other sectors like health and education because household incomes will have been improved’, said the Mayor. Last year, the district scooped the first position- the most coveted accolade in performance contracts locally known as Imihigo at the national level, a feat that inspires the district to perform even better, according to Munyentwari. ‘We are the best. Our achievements did not come by chance but through team work and commitment by different levels of staff’, he noted. To inculcate a saving culture among the populace, the district will make it compulsory for all people aged 18 and above to join saving schemes. ‘Saving no matter what one earns is one sure way to improve household incomes. Through these schemes, people will learn, at an early age the importance of saving’, said the Mayor. The district has excelled in the cultivation of Coffee, Tea, Maracuja and recently large scale production of cassava. The district’s coffee came top in last year’s Cup of Excellence competition. Its production is expected to double this year, according to the Mayor. Emmanuel Murangwa, the district’s Vice Mayor in charge of Economic affairs, says increasing the district’s tax base would be a priority this year. The district collects on average Rwf.250million from taxes. Murangwa said that taxes collected will only increase if trade opportunities are increased. ‘In close collaboration with the private sector, we are looking at how we can promote the tourism and mining sectors which have great potential’, he said. Murangwa said the Sectors of Nkomane, Mushubi and Musange are believed to have large deposits of Coltan which needs to be exploited. With a population of 317,766 people, the district is faced with a challenge of population growth that does not tally with economic growth. According to Colette Kayitesi, the district director of health, family planning clubs have been set up in all villages to help in sensitization campaigns to curb population growth. Ends