Kirehe-Eastern Province has started a campaign to see all people living in well planned settlements, locally known as Imidugudu.This was said by Denise Uwera, who is head of special programmes in the Province, at the launch of a new modern village in Gatore sector over the week-end.The ceremony was attended by the State Minister in charge of Social Affairs Dr Alvera Mukabaramba, provincial Governor Odette Uwamariya and Red Cross officials.At least 85 houses were constructed in the Gatore settlement, with the support of Rwanda Red-cross.According to the National Human Settlement Policy, every citizen is expected to settle in planned villages.A recent report by the ministry of local government ranked Eastern Province as number one in proper settlement with 87.2%, followed by the Northern Province.Uwera said the people would be settled quickly in safe locations that paves way for “meaningful agricultural activities.”She said that people living in potentially hazardous environment would be relocated to planned villages, adding that there was need to create enough land.“Red Cross has been a good partner, our campaign is as urgent as the former eradication of grass thatched houses (Nyakatsi). People living on high lands will be given better places...the bottom line is control of land fragmentation,” she said.“Our speed is on record, there is no doubt every community will soon be settled in Imidugudu. In some districts, like Ngoma, we have reached a record high percentage of 96.4”. Protais Murayire, the Mayor of Kirehe district said that issues related to proper housing should be complete in three years time.“We allocate such houses mainly to the needy people in communities...the displaced, survivors of genocide, etc. We already have 4 model villages, the trend is great,” he said. The policy of planned village settlement is driven by the desire by government to ensure easy rollout of infrastructure facilities like water, energy, health and education to all Rwandans.
