KCC can do better at consultations

The City of Kigali has announced that it would mobilise Rwf56 billion to relocate the most vulnerable of the more than 10,000 families living in high risk areas in the city, who have been ordered to leave the areas with immediate effect.That not everyone will be compensated remains a point of contention, but at least the city has shown empathy by committing to construct houses for the most disadvantaged of the families in question.However, KCC insists that all the families must have moved from their current localities before the April rain, which is certainly unrealistic.Besides, how will the 1,500 families which were identified as unable to get new abodes without help relocate since the city will start to construct the promised houses in August?City authorities have in the past few months taken some very controversial steps like banning noise pollution without setting the maximum decibels that qualify as such, the censorship of billboards and ordering shop owners to have flower pots in front of their shops, to name just a few.Such drastic decisions, mainly taken without thorough consultations and due diligence of the likely consequences, could end up hurting the numerous achievements the city has made over the years.No doubt Kigali City authorities have good intentions in these actions, but it is critical that the people are seen to be involved, especially where they are directly affected.

Opinions

KCC can do better at consultations