RDB probes demolition of Rubavu hotel

A team has been appointed by Rwanda Development Board (RDB) to investigate the demolition of Palm Beach Hotel in Rubavu, The New Times has learnt. The investigations into the matter follow media reports on the controversial demolition of the hotel belonging to city entertainment mogul, Barry Ndengeyingoma. However, Rubavu District vice-Mayor in charge of economic development, Everiste Bizimana, blamed Ndengeyingoma for not complying with the master plan guiding construction work within the city. “We have written to him many letters, he has not responded. We don’t know his business plan, neither do we know the plan of the structure he wants to put up. We have never met with him or the foreign investor he talks about,” explained Bizimana. He added that the building was old fashioned and had become a den for criminals. Bizimana also warned that Ndengeyingoma might also lose his plot as early as next year, if he does not avail a plan on how he intends to develop it. When contacted, the governor of Northern Province Aime Bosenibamwe blamed Ndengeyingoma for running to the media instead of contacting relevant authorities to seek an appropriate solution to the problem. “I have written a letter to him, but he has never replied and has never come to my office, but almost every journalist in the country has called me over that issue,” charged Bosenibamwe. The businessman maintained that he had availed to the district his building plan and that the latter had appreciated the plan. When contacted, Rosette Rugamba, Deputy CEO in charge of Tourism told The New Times that she was not in a position to give details before getting the report from the inspection team that is investigating the matter. The demolished hotel structure is said to have been worth Rwf715m and Ndengeyingoma alleges that he had lured an Italian investor who was going to spend $5m (Rwf2.7bn) to develop a luxury hotel. Ends

National

RDB probes demolition of Rubavu hotel