Leaders sensitised about urban dev’t policies

KIGALI - The National Housing Authority (NHA) has urged government officials to respect laws and regulations governing urban development and construction in Kigali City. The NHA is charged with implementation of the national housing and construction policy. Speaking at a forum, organised by NHA, Camille Marara, the officer in charge of Urban Planning and Development at the authority, said that local leaders needed detailed information about housing development and urban beautification to ensure sustainable development. “We want local leaders to be part of our campaign to efficiently implement the laws, policies and regulations regarding urban development and construction industries in their areas of jurisdiction,” he added. Marara told the participants that NHA inspects both public and private buildings to ensure building regulations and designs are respected. “Most parts of our urban centres are characterised by slums, and that is why we should deal with leaders to ensure that cities are planned and developed in a systematic manner to allow for future orderly development,” Marara noted. The meeting brought together local government leaders from the districts of Gasabo, Kicukiro and Nyarugenge, private sector representatives and officials from various government institutions. At the workshop, the Kigali City Vice Mayor for Finance, Alphonse Nizeyimana, stressed that local leaders should work with NHA to regulate construction work in accordance with regulations that are in full conformity with environmental guidelines. “Construction within Kigali City has significantly increased in the last few years,” said the Vice-Mayor “Therefore, these leaders should understand the laws and regulations concerning urban development”. Ends