New Senate elects committees

Senate members, yesterday, conducted elections for presidents and vice presidents of the five committees that make up the country’s highest law making organ. Senate president Dr. Jean Damascene Ntawukuriryayo and the vice president Bernard Makuza oversaw the elections of committee heads, which was among the first activities of the new senate. Perrine Mukankusi was elected as the head of the Committee on Economic Development and Finance, garnering the maximum 23 votes. Mukankusi, who holds an MBA in Finance vowed to deliver on the duties of the committee which deals with legal affairs and issues related to the economy, trade as well as national finance and economic planning. “With my vast experience in finance, planning and management in my past positions, I believe that I will be able to guide the committee towards fulfilling its duties,” Mukankusi told fellow Senators. Among others, the committee follows up on issues related to agriculture, livestock and forestry, energy, water and natural resources as well as public works, transport and communication. Senator Evariste Bizimana was elected the vice president of the committee, which also among other tasks follows up on the issues of land, housing and environmental protection. Bizimana, a former Minister of Infrastructure, said that his past positions in government, including being the Executive Secretary Travaux dInterêts Générales (TIG) brings with it a lot of experience. Dr. Jean Damascene Bizimana was elected to head the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Security while Agnes Mukabaranga was elected as the vice president of the committee. Bizimana said that his experience in international relations and his educational background give him the credentials to head the committee which deals with foreign affairs and cooperation as well as International Convention on Human Rights, which Rwanda is a party to. Senator Appollinaire Mushinzimana was elected to head the Committee on Political and Good Governance and he will be deputised by Donatilla Mukabalisa. Mushinzimana said that his record in the country’s decentralisation and governance processes speaks for itself. Senator Theresa Kagoyire Bishagara was elected to head the Committee on Social affairs, Human Rights and Petitions and she will be deputised by Senator Gallican Niyongana. The former Ombudsman Tito Rutaremara was unanimously elected to head the Senate Disciplinary Committee, the committee which assesses the performance of the senate and the conduct of Senators. Rutaremara will be assisted by Penelope Kantarama. The committee also oversees the operations of the senate as well as accountability. The president of the Senate hailed the Senators upon electing new committees, calling upon them to work hard and deliver to the expectations of the citizens. Among, other things, Ntawukuriryayo urged the Senators to exercise and keep fit as the duties of the Senate require them to be healthy and in good shape. Ends

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New Senate elects committees