The first phase of Gisenyi modern market, which has stalled for 11-years due to sustained disputes between the district and investors could be completed in with six months. This follows an agreement between the district and a new investor—Rubavu Investment Company Ltd—officials said. Gilbert Habyarimana, the Mayor of Rubavu District, has disclosed that under the agreement, the investor is responsible for completing construction of the multi-billion facility. After construction, he added, the parties will then discuss a detailed shareholding arrangement. The construction of the market—which started in 2010—was supposed to be completed in 2013 by ABBA Ltd but stalled following a tender dispute. The dispute triggered the cancellation of the project contract between the district and the investor. This was after members of the district council exposed tender irregularities in the project. According to available data, at least Rwf1.3 billion had been spent on the construction works by the time the project was stopped. In 2015, Police in Rubavu District arrested seven officials of the district procurement committee over corruption in the tendering process. The cancellation of the project forced the contractor- ABBA Ltd- to seek court redress in 2014. However, court ruled in favour of the district and handed over the project document on February 7, 2017, effectively kicking out ABBA-Ltd. Habyarimana told The New Times that last week district signed an agreement with Rubavu Investment Company Ltd to complete the first phase of the market within six months before embarking on the second phase. “The company will move to the second phase,” he said. Based on new valuations, the mayor said, the first phase will be completed at a financial outlay of Rwf2.7 billion. Previous construction works plus land acquisition is valued at Rwf2.18 billion, according to the new valuation. “The infrastructure will boost business and create jobs in this district. It will also boost investment in the city,” Habyarimana. Rubavu Investment Company Ltd, the mayor says, has earmarked Rwf2 billion for investing in completing the first phase of the project. The official says that the second phase will require a financial outlay of Rwf8 billion, which may mean approaching other investors for equity, debt or both. “Citizens should now be hopeful that the first phase will be completed in six months,” assured Jeannette Kayumba Nyota, the president of the Private Sector Federation in Rubavu District. Infrastructure boom in the secondary city Mayor Habyarimana said that there is also a plan to build a new Bus Park in Rubavu city. “We are in the expropriation stage,” he said. The bus station will be built by Jali Investment Ltd and is estimated to cost Rwf8 billion. “We are also upgrading urban roads. There is also a big project to triple water supply besides Rubavu substation completed to increase electricity supply besides Methane gas project,” he said adding that there are also Kivu belt roads and hotels along Lake Kivu going on.
