Gov’t to support architects

KIGALI - Government through the Ministry of Infrastructure has pledged to provide architects with the support they need to facilitate the implementation of the Kigali Master Plan. Speaking at the first symposium on sustaining urbanisation, the minister of infrastructure, Albert Nsengiyunva, acknowledged that the sector is essential for economic development. “I want to assure the Architects Association of Rwanda (AAR) of government’s support. I will make sure that your association is strong because we need to empower you so that you can deliver and develop the country’s infrastructure”, the minister said. He pointed out the need to promote professionalism within the sector. “When I was still at the Workforce Development Authority, I realised that there was a gap in this industry in terms of professionalism. There is so much we need to do and we all know how much construction is ongoing; therefore we need raise our standards in order to sustain the development,” he added. The President of the Architects Association of Rwanda, Jean Marie Vianney Kamiya highlighted that the association is ready to play its role. “We vow to be a key player in ensuring the implementation of the Kigali master plan. We realised that for the master plan to be implemented, we need to know the role each stakeholder has,” he said. “We want to bring our knowledge in the development of city,” Kamiya encouraged all architects in the country to always organise discussion fora to share ideas on the sustainability and development of the country. Wambete Soita, a professional architect and a lecturer at the faculty of architecture and environmental design of the Kigali Institute of Science and Technology(KIST), observed that Kigali city has the capacity to join other international cities in the world, adding that what is needed are international ideas. “We need to acquire infrastructural ideas from abroad because when you’re planning a city, you have to look at all aspects like industrial parks. Otherwise, Kigali can be like London or New York.” Ends

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Gov’t to support architects