Local NGO unveils three-year project

Rwanda Initiative for Sustainable development (RISD)-an NGO focused on promoting good governance and natural resource management, especially land, Friday unveiled a three-year project that will cost it Euros 800,000 annually. RISDs Director, Annie Kairaba, said that the project will first be implemented in 10 districts with the hope of extending it to others depending on the availability of funds. “The phase of land tenure regularisation might bring about disputes related to land rights if not well managed. Therefore, much effort from the civil society is needed to monitor and document the disputed land, especially for the most vulnerable population,” she said. Kairaba was addressing the media after holding a roundtable with stakeholders and donors to review the NGO`s progress in supplementing the country’s development strategies, especially its contribution towards peace building and poverty reduction. Briefly, the Director highlighted on the NGO`s activities, challenges, achievements and way forward. During the meeting, participants had an interactive discussion especially about civil society organization’s expected role in supporting or advocating for the population and how best it can be done. RISD`s Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Bishop Nathan Kamusiime Gasatura, attributed the NGO`s achievements to the effective cooperation with development partners. “When we meet with our partners, we jointly agree on how to work, and this time round, we are focusing on how the land policy implementation can benefit the population as well as contributing to the country’s economic development,” he said. Ends