Kirehe Mayor visits RRFHP Livelihood projects
December 2017
Kirehe leadership commends LRP Program funded by the RRFHP
Kirehe District Mayor, Mr. Gerald Muzungu visited the Livelihood Restoration Program (LRP) in November 2017, a program benefiting about 61 households of Persons Affected by the Project (PAPs) from Kirehe district, Rwanda that is meant to uplift their living standards and create positive impacts on their lives after being resettled by the Project.
RRFHP implemented capacity building within the LRP beneficiaries related to community procurement of goods and services as well as finance management skills. This was all carried out prior to the disbursement of the compensation according to best international practice and the World Bank's procedures.
LRP activities focus on agriculture, livestock and off-farming development and the LRP members are registered and recognized by their respective local government structures. Kirehe district plays an instrumental role in completing and strengthening the RRFHP role in community development at grass roots level.
The Kirehe Mayor visited LRP activities including poultry farming, pig breeding and milk production.
Kirehe Mayor in a visit to the RRFHP livestock program with Kirehe District LRP Focal Point, Mr. Didace Habineza and Kirehe LRP Intern, Mr. Stephen Mandela.
Visit of to the poultry and piggery farming which will enhance beneficiaries' livelihood while strengthening their resilience. About 1,000 birds and 6 expecting piggery are growing. In visit to the activity: Kirehe Mayor Mr. G. Muzungu accompanied by the District LRP Focal Point, Mr. Didace H. and Kirehe LRP Intern, Mr. S. Mandela. Nov 2017.
In the agriculture sector, preparation of the garden for planting tomatoes and beans has been done. Tools for agriculture activities were also procured and supplied to the beneficiaries, organic fertilizers have also been bought and supplied to the PAPs.
Tailoring beneficiaries are now making uniforms targeting Kiyanzi primary schools. Hair dressing salons were equipped and practical trainings are ongoing. Restaurant services are running smoothly. LRP beneficiaries received trainings in business planning and management. Each subcomponent were given skills for managing their LRP activity, through book keeping tracking expenses and income. Each subcomponent elected a committee that will ensure management of each LRP activity. Bank accounts for each LRP sub component activity have been opened and managed by the elected committees.
Contented by the activities undertaken by LRP beneficiaries, Mr. Muzungu applauded NELSAP's RRFHP and the World Bank for the LRP program; "the RRFHP is commendable for its unending efforts to strengthen project affected community in providing them with skills and capacities that help them to manage life after resettlement and compensation", he said.
"The RRFHP is commendable for its unending efforts to strengthen project affected community in providing them with skills and capacities that help them to manage life after resettlement and compensation"
In addition, Kirehe District Mayor commended the project's effort to develop Kirehe district with the Local Area Development Plan that will bring more positive impact to the area mentioning the soon to start muram road Gasarabwayi- and the Health Center.
These PAPs were resettled in a socially responsible manner and according to good international practice and the World Bank's procedures.
The construction of the 80MW Rusumo Power Plant affected wide lands in Rusumo area of Rwanda and Tanzania which will be used as access roads to buildings for powerhouse, switchyard and administration blocks. Land and business owners were displaced and resettled for that matter.
PAPs were compensated in accordance with the World Bank's social safeguard requirements (OP 4.12) “Involuntary Resettlement” and benefited from a Livelihood Restoration Program to uplift their livings and create positive impacts on their lives after being resettled by the Project.
The RRFHP is implemented by a Project Implementation Unit under the Nile Equatorial Lakes Subsidiary Action Program (NELSAP) of the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI).
LRP program is worth about USD 711,000 before construction and focuses on agriculture, livestock and off-farming development. The program commenced in February 2017 and will conclude in 2020.