Local leaders in the Northern Province have resolved to have set up new shelter for Genocide survivors whose houses are dilapidated before the beginning of the commemoration period.Available statistics by the provincial leadership indicate that about 300 houses should be demolished and replaced, while more than 1,000 need to be renovated.During a provincial security meeting held in Rulindo district last Friday, Provincial Governor Aime Bosenibamwe directed the local leaders to mobilise residents for renovation of the remaining houses by the end this July.“The survivors should be continuously helped to cope with the effects of what befell them 19 years ago most especially as we approach the commemoration period,” he said.Rulindo and Gicumbi districts have the highest number of houses, while Burera and Gakenke have the least.Contentious issueDuring the meeting, a contentious debate emerged concerning the progress of the ongoing national voluntary service by Senior Six leavers.The Chairperson of Itorero National Taskforce, Boniface Rucagu, expressed worries about the whole process.He said local leaders and the general public are still slow to understand the implications of this initiative.“There is no daily follow up and monitoring to determine the output at the end of the programme,” Rucagu said.He called upon local leaders to mobilise for support to facilitate the students in realising their ultimate goals and targets.“As much as we monitor these activities, we need to establish structures to document daily achievements so as to conduct a nationwide evaluation of the entire programme,” he said.Rucagu noted that the documented outcomes could be used as a tool of motivation to voluntarily engage future generations in nation building.Having lasted three weeks after the urugerero programme all participants will return to their respective communities, with the university students heading back to campus.
