Residents, local leaders in row over water sources

Eastern Province NYAGATARE – Residents of Rwimiyaga Sector in Nyagatare District have accused local leaders and prominent livestock farmers of monopolising the water sources. Such accusations come within the background of crippling water shortages which continue hitting the district. The residents who talked to The New Times claimed that they were fetching water for their cattle from far off sources such as River Akagera, despite having water sources in the area. “They asked each resident to contribute money towards the construction and safety of water taps. We readily contributed but to date; no one has been given access to the sources. We need the district’s intervention because people who have monopolised the sources are those in the sector administration,” one farmer who preferred not to be named said. “How can only very few people have a monopoly over such sources when the entire society which has even contributed money for putting up such sources is being left out? This is a disappointment and local leaders should be genuine and end this standoff,” another resident only identified as John said. In response the Rwimiyaga Sector Executive Secretary, Alex Karengera, strongly dismissed the claims as baseless.“Such allegations are not based on truth. We have actually sorted out the water crisis in this area. The problem with our residents here is that they don’t openly address their issues but rather speak silently,” he said.Karengera elaborated on the controversy by saying that not all those who were called upon to contribute honoured their commitments. “We asked each of them to contribute Rwf 300 every month for accessing water and Rwf 500 every month for each cow to get water but few of them have managed to honour this arrangement. We cannot tolerate those who fail and I think they are the ones making such complaints to you,” he said. Karengera also criticised cell leaders for not attending meetings where such issues can be addressed. Ends