Rwanda : Nyarugenge district steps up on risky settlements

The mayor of Nyarugenge district, Solange Mukasonga has called on residents of Kigali sector to halt activities of building houses in areas designated as risk zone on mount Kigali.

The mayor’s remarks come days after reports of increasing numbers of illegal structures, encroachment on the environment, and settling in hilly areas which are prone to disaster on mount Kigali.

The mayor says that most of the residents acquired building permits to construct toilets and kitchens, but instead resort to putting up illegal structures in illicit ways.

District reports indicate that most of these structures are raised at night time and they keep cropping up every week. These houses also do not meet the construction requirements of the district.

Most of the houses are scattered and unplanned- which makes the area inaccessible and chaotic, while some houses are built on hilly areas which pose a danger of possible disaster and deteriorate the water catchments.

Residents acknowledge the reports and state that they lack options and have no access to funds to build proper housing settlements.

Other residents who have proper structures, also alleged that the area lacks proper road networks which also poses problems during the rainy seasons.

The Mayor said that the issue of constructing roads is underway and there are plans to build a 6kilometer road, which will have covered half way by the end of this year.