You are not slaves, TIG convicts told

EASTERN PROVINCE KIREHE — Evaliste Bizimana, the National Executive Secretary of TIG has advised convicts serving under the TIG programme to see themselves as Rwandans serving their sentences for the crimes committed and not as slaves. Bizimana was touring Mpanga sector, Kirehe district, to assess the progress of Mahama-Mpanga-Nasho road currently being constructed by TIG convicts. Under the TIG programme convicts are punished by doing community work. Bizimana urged them to serve their sentences with one ‘heart’ and ignore people misleading them. “You were pardoned as people who were persuaded by your poor leaders and you should therefore work with one heart to put back what you destroyed,” he said. “The past regimes never initiated you into projects that can develop you but rather taught you how to kill your fellow Rwandans,” he added. Convicts were urged to work hard to develop their homes and the country when they later complete their sentences. Warning people still harboring genocide ideology, Bizimana urged them to shun such people who may impart the vice into them. He called on the district to make use of the convicts for development projects. “It’s quite absurd to have such manpower misused. These people are here to work, give them what to do,” he said, adding that the Eastern Province has benefited much from TIG. The acting district Mayor Benson Muhikira, urged discipline and cooperation among the convicts and local leaders. Launched three months ago, about 90 km of the Mahama-Mpanga-Nasho road have been rehabilitated. There are 1,300 Tig convicts in the whole district. Ends