The recently constructed Eastern Province headquarters that was expected to giveRwamagana a facelift couldn’t withstand Tuesday’s heavy wind and rainfall.The heavy rain that was characterised by hailstones destroyed at least 100 other houses in most districts of the Province apart from Bugesera.Provincial workers, who were still in the office, had to scamper for their lives as most of the roof flew off, allowing water into electric cables that caused short circuits.The multibillion structure which was built by EMA Enterprise owned by one Alex Mugarura, has a record of controversies to its name.Innocent Kalimba, in charge of Construction and Registration, Rwanda Housing Authority (RHA), lamented the ruin, saying that the roofing was poorly done.He said that the company that built it would take the responsibility to rehabilitate it.“RHA consultant did us a great disservice…he lied to us that the building was in good shape yet the tiles were hanging in the air. He is going to incur all costs to fix them back. He had given us one year guarantee that never went beyond two months,” he said.We couldn’t confirm from the Ministry of Infrastructure, whether EMA Enterprise had been fully paid.The Governor of Eastern Province, Odette Uwamariya, told The New Times that she couldn’t believe her eyes watching a new building destroyed by mere wind.She expressed regret that some people could still do such sham construction work after pocketing billions.“What do you want me to say...this is a building I expected would be least affected,” she said.The building had been handed to the Province on temporary basis by the contractor, meaning that the latter could incur the reconstruction losses.The controversy that surrounded the construction of the building led to the arrest of senior officials, including former Governor Theoneste Mutsindashyaka and the then Executive Secretary Charles Gasana.Jean Marie Makombe, the Executive Secretary of the Province, said that the effect of the rain was enormous and residents may need relief aid.“At least every district was affected by the heavy rainfall, but the irony of it all is that Bugesera District remains under threat of drought. We are assessing the general loss to mobilise for aid for the victims,” he said.
