Rwanda | Ministers queried in parliamentary sessions

Upon the submission of the 2012-2013 draft budget, various Ministries continue to be summoned by parliament to defend their respective ministry’s draft budget allocations and execution for the previous fiscal year’s budgetary allocation.

Facing the Parliamentary Standing Committee on budget and patrimony, Trade and Industry Minister Francois Kanimba answered various questions posed by the lawmakers, including those of the proposed moving of industries which operate in Gikondo Industrial Park to their allocated destinations in Nyandugu, and the fate of the “hangaumurimo” (translation: create jobs) initiative which aims to create 700,000 more jobs by the year 2020.

Local government Minister James Musoni on his part explained the funds requested for construction of offices and headquarters for various grass-roots levels of government, to be done in concert with the Ministry of Infrastructure.

Minister Musoni also touched on the program aimed at economic boosting and revamping of Districts that are lagging behind, such as Nyaruguru which he said will benefit from increased investment by government in upgrading of infrastructure and social amenities such as roads and increased electricity coverage.

Meanwhile Infrastructure boss Albert Nsengiyumva while facing the panel disclosed that a lot of effort will be directed into increasing electricity-production in the country through the exploitation of alternative sources of energy such as Methane gas, harnessing solar power among others.

Minister Nsengiyumva further elaborated on plans to improve the road and highway network that connects Rwanda to neighboring countries, pointing out that the rehabilitation and expansion of the Gatuna highway has received the green light, with construction set to begin in the near future.