Three arrested over fertilizers

EASTERN PROVINCE NYAGATARE — Police in Nyagatare district last weekend detained three senior officials of CODERIVAM rice factory, on allegations of stealing over 5.282 tones of fertilizers meant for rice farmers in Rukomo sector.The officials include the rice plant manager, Celestin Murwanashyaka, chief store man, Theodore Sengimana and his immediate assistant Faustin Gahunde. The District chief inspector of police, Damien Gasana, confirmed the arrest and said investigations were underway.According to Bonny Ruterana, the district president of cooperatives, the fertilizers had been provided by an Italian cooperation through UNDP; to improve production of rice farmers. The missing quantities were part of 15,282 tones of NPK17, urea 46% type.Sources say the fertilizers were offloaded on the way at Karangazi trading centre and kept at a prominent businessman’s store before reaching the final destination in Rukomo.According to police statement, the two store managers, Sengimana and his co-accused Gahunde admitted not re-weighing the fertilizers received, against the normal procedure of weighing new stock. They however, accuse their president, Murwanashyaka, of influencing their action.The two have reportedly asked for pardon promising to refund the missing quantities. When contacted, the director of CODERIVAM, François Uhoranaingonga, said he did not witness the arrival of the new fertilizers.“With me I was not around on the day the fertilizers were off-loaded so what I did is to give room to police and other security organs to investigate the matter, but according to my understanding over five tones are missing,” he said. Uhoranaingoga, also suspects Murwanashyaka of causing the saga because; he allegedly signed documents acknowledging receipt of the items, against the normal procedure.“I want the police to find out why Murwanashyaka signed on documents which normally could have been signed by the chief store man. This is why he’s being suspected of the missing five tones of fertilizers,” he said.Meanwhile, Police and local authorities are searching for the supplier of the fertilizers identified as Joseph Rusanganwa, for questioning.Ends