RWAMAGANA – The Minister of Defence, General James Kabarebe, yesterday launched the extension of Kitazigurwa model village in Rwamagana.

Gen. Kabarebe working on a brick-making machine. Beside him is Gen. Kayonga and Eastern Province Governor, Odette Uwamariya. The Sunday Times

The launch saw hundreds of RDF and Police officers join residents in brick making and construction of roads in the village.

Government officials who attended the ceremony included the Chief of Defence Staff of the Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF), Lt. Gen. Charles Kayonga, State Minister in charge of Social Affairs in MINALOC, Dr. Alvera Mukabaramba and Eastern Province Governor, Odette Uwamariya.

Kitazigurwa just like its neighbor Nyagatovu is one of the model villages.

At least 65 houses have been completed though 165 houses are planned.

The construction of the houses goes hand-in-hand with provision of electricity and a good network of roads.

Kabarebe said that model villages were assisting the government to easily extend facilities to the people.

“Living in a planned manner paves way for development…the infrastructure eases the government’s plan to develop communities. Schools, energy, education, health and other socio-economic facilities can easily reach the people,” he said.

“This is an important activity we are launching…a people-based project that offers affordable housing. Residents must strive for the development of this area, by investing in a number of projects.”

Mukabaramba noted that settling people in planned villages was one of the government’s priorities.

“This is advantageous to the country…when people live in such villages, they leave big space for agriculture. We are no longer bothered by land fragmentation that greatly affects farming,” she said.

By Stephen Rwembeho, The New Times