The Bugesera International Airport delays, people protest

Within  five years ago, the project of constructing an international airport in the District of Bugesera was kept in speeches and studies.

Until now there is no significant activity done about this airport which can prove  the airport will be soon constructed.

Only the blueprint shows how this airport will look like. But when you get there you realize that there is nothing new. People are still living where the airport will be constructed.

People who live in Ririma sector, especially in Karera, Kimaranzara,and Ntarama,where this airport will be constructed told Umuseke.rw  that the   delay to construct the airports keeps them into poverty and other developmental back steps.

They are in a dilemma whether they will live the place or not. This is because they signed to leave the place in exchange of money that they would be reimbursed to their property.

From 2008 until now they have not received the reimbursement.

They have a big  problem of restoring their houses, some of which are greatly damaged, cracking and no one is allowed to renovate or build a new house.

Where we have managed to get we have seen many houses in bad conditions.

Most of the people who talked to Umuseke.rw mentioned the fact that for past four years they were asked to open accounts in banks through which they can get their money.

But until this time they have not yet received their money while banks keep counting monthly benefit.

There some four years that they are not allowed to do their farming activities as it used to be. Usually a farmer from this region could get about 500.000 RwF or more from cassava trees  and pineapple agriculture.

Now that no one is allowed to cultivate long term crops without the authority’s permission, some have decided to undertake their agriculture projects even without the permission, whereas some others fear to lose their crops, which can lead to starvation.

Young people from this region also, are experiencing a problem of not getting married, as they have nowhere to erect their homes. Young girls keep refusing many marriage proposals saying that boys have no homes to take them to.

The ministry of infrastructure says that this delay was caused by bad plans.

The ministry says that the budget of constructing the airport and pay the reimbursement is ready.

The construction of this international airport will facilitate Rwanda in terms of economics as the airport will provide Rwandans with jobs.

Alain Joseph MBARUSHIMANA

UM– USEKE.RW Volunteer