The National Consultative Forum of Political Organizations (NFPO) is mobilizing funds from its members to build its own premises. The offices are expected to cost over 1.7 billion. The forum brings together all the 11 political parties operating in Rwanda where they discuss pressing issues affecting the country and devise common solutions. The forum has been renting offices for years with its current headquarters in Kacyiru, Gasabo District, which the forum pays over Rwf 2 million every month, a sum that officials say is a lot. Christine Mukabunani, the forum’s Chairperson, said they have used Rwf300million in rent in the past adding such a burden needs to be dealt with immediately. “Having our own offices will save the money spent on rent for our head offices and money spent on conference halls. But we need to sacrifice and do our very best in our capacity to get the required money so we can have our own offices,” Mukabunani said. The forum can initially count on the government’s annual support where it is given Rwf 400 million every financial year and Mukabunani said they can start from the funds for the next financial year to mobilize more funds to finance the construction as political parties will still need to contribute to the construction project until it is completed. The forum has already bought a plot of land in Gahanga, Kicukiro District, where the new headquarters will be built with construction expected to start next year. “If we get our own premises, then our forum will spend rental money elsewhere, especially in other activities aimed at improving political parties’ welfare. It will be a big building with enough conference halls and some political parties which pay a lot of money in renting conference halls for their members will save money as well,” she explained. The forum recently presented the project to build its own premises to different government institutions and there is a positive feeling among political parties’ representatives that the project will be successful given that concerned government institutions support it. editor@newtimesrwanda.com
