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Farmers are seeking for compensation of their crops in Gatsata-Nyabugogo swamp.
Isangostar
Feb 12, 2024 - 09:03
Locals doing agricultural activities in the Gatsata-Nyabugogo swamp located in the Gasabo district of Kigali city are demanding for compensation for their crops in the swamp, because they have not been paid but instead asked to relocate and stop their activities. It is at a time when the RWANDA Environment Management Authority, REMA, says that the swamp is one of the 6 in the city of Kigali is going to be take care of .REMA says that before processing it, the farmers will have been compensated.
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The farmers who are asking for compensation come from different areas surrounding the swamp where they grow various crops. These residents plead not to be relocated as they have been earning a living through their activities, they should first be paid for their efforts in clearing the swamp which sheltered robbers before.
Speaking to Isango Star one of the farmers, Umurerwa Devota said “We came to this swamp after being encouraged to cultivate it, before it was a bush, we invested in a long-term project .”
She further added“ We have invested in a long-term project that we believe will benefit us and our families. REMA came to help us and then they told us that 'here is a project that is going to be worked on', we told them that it was good because we also need the development of our country. They told us that they are going to compensate us and we should leave then they start their project.”
Mukabageni Claudine a resident of Gatsata sector said "Coming here to this swamp, we came here as the last resort, no one could come here because there were thugs.." People say that they want to be paid proportionally they don't need to be fooled around, she added.
Nyirasafari a Magret said "They came and told us that even the person who just cleared the swamp and had not yet started planning crops will be compensated. She further added, “The problem we are talking about today is that we are seeing people start coming and telling us to leave and they have not yet compensated us for our crops and the harvest is ours, she noted.
You deserve it Faustin; The deputy director general of Rwanda Environment Management Authority, REMA, confirms that it is time for the agreement to be implemented because the swamp is one of the 6 in the city of Kigali that is going to be under the management of the city of Kigali. It's a process he says is it’s time to make it more sustainable.
Among the swamps that will be taken care of shortly after the Nyandungu swamp, are the Rwampara swamp, Gikondo swamp, Nyabugogo swamp, Rugenge also known as the Rwintare swamp, and Kibumba swamp. Apart from creating jobs for the people who will process it, it is expected to increase investment activities. It is a project that will be implemented this year and will cost $80 million (over 101.6 billion Rwandan francs).
Author: BERWA GAKUBA Prudence/Isango Star-Kigali.
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