Hold cooperative leaders accountable – Makuza

BUGESERA – As investigations into financial mismanagement in cooperative societies continue, the Prime Minister, Bernard Makuza, has ordered local leaders in Bugesera District, to hold cooperative leaders who embezzle cooperatives’ money accountable. He said that it is the duty of all leaders in the district, including the Police, to bring to book anyone swindling money from cooperatives. He made the remarks on Wednesday, while responding to reports that Martin Sindayigaya, a former Director General of CORINYABURIBA Rice Cooperative, in Mareba sector, had swindled over Rwf 20 million. “We cannot afford a situation where an individual or individuals hold the community at ransom. We have to punish them, otherwise all our efforts to develop the country would be jeopardized,” he said. The Premier further advised cooperative members not to seat back and watch, as their money is taken away by greedy individuals. “This is your sweat; so, don’t be passive as such irresponsible persons loot your money and property,” he advised. The financial irregularities were discovered by an audit that was carried out by Rwanda Cooperative Agency. Meanwhile, the Minister of Agriculture Dr. Agnes Kalibata commended members of the rice cooperative for their hard work. She said that the cooperative has been getting high yields for the last couple of years, an indication that if they had good leadership, they would be at a higher level. CORINYABURIBA Rice Cooperative grows rice on a 120 hectare plantation. The cooperative yields earn an estimated Rwf 490 million per season, according to its officials. Ends