Eastern Province laments private sector’s failure to exploit local resources

Rwamagana - Senior officials in the Eastern Province complain that the private sector had failed to capitalise on the area’s ample resources to spur development there. According to Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS) coordinator in the Province, Henry Kakooza, the province is endowed with diverse and abundant unexploited natural resources. EDPRS is a medium term strategy adopted by government to champion growth. Kakooza noted that there were numerous mineral resources scattered around, highlighting that the province’s farmland was very fertile that farmers do not require fertilisers to reap bumper harvests in most areas.EDPRS studies indicate that at least 96 percent of the population in the area is involved in agricultural-related activities.He pointed out that there had been an investment gap that was responsible for the sluggish development process in the region.“We have enough lakes to boost the fishing industry, but none of our businesspersons is eyeing them. Along the shores of the lakes, we should be seeing hotels and beaches mushrooming… The presence of Akagera National Park is not economically felt in the Province,” he bemoaned.Kakooza blamed the poor investment plans and priority identification of the private sector on low levels of education.“It is a sad reality that most of our businesspersons are not well educated …they lack prerequisite skills to join the modern business world. It is true that they are trained, but average academic background remains an issue”.Claude Kirenga, a businessman in Rwamagana town, admitted that poor education was undeniably hampering the private sector.He said that the uneducated could only depend on traditional businesses, adding that investment choices remained burdensome.“I finished primary school…so I can only rely on what I saw as business in my community from my childhood.“I joined business because I couldn’t make it in school just like most of my colleagues…we are greatly affected by inability to make business choices. You need to write a project, know foreign languages to be part of the modern world,” he observed.The Governor of Eastern Province, Odette Uwamariya, emphasised the need to help the local business community exploit the province’s abundant water resources. She regretted that despite the existence of many lakes, residents still feed on imported fish.“We eat fish imported from our neighbours…the many lakes we have virtually have no fish. We don’t have tourist hotels despite the natural beauty our province possesses. It all explains the need to help the private sector,” she observed.