28,000 need shelter in Southern Province

SOUTHERN PROVINCE NYANZA — The number of vulnerable people who need shelter in the Province has reached a staggering 28, 000, an official said. These include 9,000 vulnerable survivors of the 1994 Genocide, abject poor, the marginalized and returnees from Tanzania. Speaking during the Province’s open day, Governor Fidele Ndayisaba noted that community efforts are needed to curtail the housing problem. Committees composed of 11 members of the traditional institution-Itorero-have been set up at the Cell levels charged with mobilising the community to build for the needy people among them, Ndayisaba said. The community would be actively involved in identifying the beneficiaries. According to Ndayisaba, the Province has set April this year as the deadline for the construction of houses for Genocide survivors. He said: “We want to make sure that vulnerable Genocide survivors occupy their houses by the time we start this years’ mourning period.” For this to be achieved, government will help construction work by providing roofing materials and cement. Other organisations like Religious establishments, Companies and Education Institutions have pledged support for the scheme, according to the Governor. Talking to journalists, the Governor said despite the success registered in domains like good governance, a serious challenge remains in the social welfare and economic situation of residents. As revealed by last years’ performance contracts nationwide, all districts across the country performed poorly, below 70 percent in the above domain. “If the economic status of our people is low, this will translate into poor social welfare,” said Ndayisaba. To improve the economic situation of the local people, the Governor said, sectors like that of agriculture should be revamped. “We are now in an economic revolution. We have identified crops like Coffee, Tea, Cassava and Maracuja. We hope efforts put into their cultivation will be fruitful,” he said with optimism. The Province has realised its potential in the growing of Cassava. According to the Governor, the crop is set to be a major earner for residents. The Province has so far cultivated 13, 000hectare of cassava in the districts of Huye, Nyaruguru and Muhanga. Four cassava processing plants are near completion. They are expected to produce high quality packaged cassava flour for the domestic and foreign market. “We are still conducting research on the possibility of exploiting the stone quarrying potential in the Province. Recent research shows that stones in the province can produce high quality tiles. All these investments will create job opportunities for our people and reduce poverty in the long run,’ said Ndayisaba. Ends