City traders pave way for Rwf60b complex

City traders operating on the parcel of land that houses a string of assorted businesses including Akagera Motors, SECAM and BENALCO, have until August 25 to relocate to pave way for the construction of a state-of-the-art Rwf60 billion complex, officials have said.Kigali City vice mayor in charge of Finance and Economic Development, Alphonse Nizeyimana, told The New Times this week the 3.5 hectares of land – that lies between the main downtown roundabout, Centenary House, Kigali City Tower and Kwarubangura – had been earmarked for modern commercial buildings and hotels. He said the architectural design was complete and developers were in the final touches of the project.Over 20 business enterprises are currently operating in the said parcel of land. The mega project dubbed, Nyarurembo Project, comprises five developers, who joined hands in the joint scheme. Some of the developers are among those facing eviction.Nizeyimana said the move is part of a phased approach to the implementation of the city master plan, especially in the central business district. He said traders currently operating in the area had been issued with a 10-month notice.“They (traders) were given 10 months to prepare themselves to vacate that plot for the developers to start construction because their project (plan) is already complete,” he said, adding that KCC is currently mobilising several traders in the city to undertake joint projects that conform to the master plan.One of the developers, Robert Ntigura, said that the project comprises various projects.“The project has five proprietors with their own projects. We are ready to start off when we get all the necessary requirements from the city authorities,” Ntigura, who is also the project’s representative, said. Other proprietors include renowned city tycoon, Françoise Mironko and Akagera Motors. Ntigura said he would be putting up a three-star hotel with an adjoining commercial building.Nizeyimana said all the projects must be completed in five years. “By the end of five years, the project will have been completed and, thereafter, we shall have another five year plan in another area in line with the master plan,” Nizeyimana disclosed. The current five-year master plan implementation will also see the construction of a central sewerage system in the city. The construction of the plant was slated to start this year but officials deferred it over financial difficulties.Nizeyimana said city officials were still negotiating with the European Development Bank to put up the $70 million central sewerage plant, whose detailed physical master plan is already complete.The initial phase of five years will also see the development of the central business district as a financial and commercial hub.According to the current development of the master plan, the CBD 1 covers an area of 13 hectares subdivided into 20 plots. So far, 11 of the plots were taken. Projects in the said plots, according to Nizeyimana, will have been implemented in five years.

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City traders pave way for Rwf60b complex