Ex-combatants co-op looks to create 500 jobs

Over 500 jobs are to be created in the next three months by an ex-combatants cooperative, Kigali Veteran Cooperative Society (KVCS).The cooperative is in charge of street parking in Kigali.The jobs are expected to include cashiers, security personals, drivers, office administrators, cleaners and managers, among others.Eugene Kasavubu Gitefano, the co-op’s Human Resource Manager, told The New Times in an interview yesterday that this will be through the organisation’s expansion drive that will see the cooperative operate beyond Kigali.“We have already started operation in Rubavu district and before the end of this month, we must have started work in Musanze district,” Gitefano said.The organisation is also in talks with local authorities in Huye district to also open up offices in the district. “We are focusing in playing a role in fighting unemployment among the youth,” he said.Among other challenges that hinder and slows down the organisation`s activities include limited parking space. He called on local authorities to identify enough parking space for the public; saying this will contribute to safety for car owners.Recently, Rwanda Demobilisation Reintegration Commission (RDRC) awarded KVCS as the best performing cooperative in the country.This was during the annual competition which this year attracted 104 demob cooperatives. It aims at encouraging ex-combatants to join cooperatives and work to fit in the community as well as contributing to national development.During the event, the Director General of KVCS, Bossa Rwemarika, said that the organisation has grown and is not only aimed at supporting ex-combatants, but creating job opportunities for the general public. Currently, the organisation employs about 450 people. The youth make up the biggest percentage.KVCS started its operations in 2004 with only 30 members, according to Gitefano. He says that the organisation is attracting more members and that, to date, the membership has gone up to 70.The organization offers security services for parked vehicles at a cost of Rwf 100 per hour.

National

Ex-combatants co-op looks to create 500 jobs