Gasabo finally elects Mayor, vice Mayor

GASABO - Willy Ndizeye was yesterday elected the new Mayor of Gasabo District and Yvonne Mucyo as vice Mayor in charge of finance and economic development. Ndizeye, who has been the acting Mayor and the vice Mayor in charge of Finance and Economic Development, replaces Claudine Nyinawagaga who resigned in November last year. Nyinawagaga tendered in her resignation letter as the District Advisory Council (DAC) convened to discuss the tribulations the district was faced with, especially land wrangles. In yesterday’s by-election held in Kinyinya Sector and presided over by Chrysologue Karangwa, President of National Electoral Commission (NEC), Ndizeye scooped 238 votes out of 262 cast, ahead of his sole opponent, Deo Mungwarakarama who only got 21 votes. Three votes were invalid. Mucyo pooled 242 votes against 20 garnered by her rival, Chantal Ingabire.The 39-year old Mucyo has hitherto been the Woman Councillor and DAC secretary at Gasabo and has been working in the Ministry of Internal Security. She holds a degree in Public Administration. The Electoral College was composed of the Sector and District advisory councils within the district. Shortly after they were announced winners, the two local officials were immediately sworn-in. With less than a year to the end of their term, the duo takes on a controversial administration with financial losses estimated at over Rwf 2bn emanating from illegal awarding of tenders and other problems. The DAC president, Francois Gakwerere, said early this month during a press conference that the financial losses has led the district into difficulties of paying its employees, and that it had failed to pay RAMA (medical insurance), pension funds for their workers and taxes to Rwanda Revenue Authority. Close to eight district workers have so far been fired on alleged corruption allegations, including Félix Kabandana, the former district Executive Secretary together with five other officials on the district tender committee. Kabandana was accused of illegal awarding of tender to supply Remera Government Prison with firewood and cooking oil without competitive bidding. This cost the government over Rwf 222 million that later led to his arrest. In a subsequent press conference by City Mayor, Aisa Kirabo Kacyira, she said that it was this controversial tender that had led to the resignation of Nyinawagaga.“She no longer had moral authority after her failure as the head of the district to award this tender. She realized this and as a leader who failed to do her work, she found it imperative to resign,” Kirabo was quoted as saying. In a separate interview with The New Times, Ndizeye promised to work hand-in-hand with all departments to put the district that has been lagging behind others in the city back on track. “This district has been having so many problems and this is what we will focus on alongside other important development programmes,” Ndizeye said. Karangwa commended the turn up of the voters and observers and described it as clear evidence that Rwandans now understand the importance of elections and that the forthcoming Presidential elections scheduled for August this year will realize a big turn-up. Ends