Musanze: From 6^th to 7^th May, 2014-a Two Day National Urbanization Policy (NUP) Consultative meeting on Provincial level was held in Musanze District –Northern Province.

The meetings were presided over to discuss the current status of urbanization in Rwanda, particulary in the Districts of Musanze, Gicumbi, Burera and Gakenke in the Northern part of the Country.

The meeting was officiated by the Governor Northern Province, Mr. Aime Bosenibamwe and a government official with a vote of thanks to the Government of Rwanda through the Ministry of Infrastructure (MININFRA) for having initiated the exercise of developing the National Urbanization Policy that would come as a solution to solve the urbanization issues hindering the economic and social development of the Nation.

In his remarks however, Mr. Bosenibamwe  emphasized on proper planning, coordination, working as a team, consolidated management, having ownership and aiming towards the implementation of the urbanization activities in line with the city master plans for the betterment of social and economic challenges that contribute to un planned settlements and un sustainable urbanization. This would in turn enhance social and economic development towards sustainable urbanization and city development in Rwanda.

The expert on behalf of the Ministry of Infrastructure in charge of Urbanization and the Development of the National Urbanization Policy (NUP) Eng. David Niyonsenga, revealed to the participants that the essence behind the NUP Consultative meetings on Provincial level is to bring together various key stakeholders/partners and bring them on board for basically owning the entire process and finally implement it after its finalization. The meetings involve brainstorming on Urbanization goals and challenges faced by various Institutions and identify factors for successful NUP development and implementation based on local potentials. Urbanization is not just housing; creation of employments in the city, leisure, sanitation system, serviced settlements, education, security, culture, economic investments, city security, and other elements necessary for livable cities matter equally, he added. He emphasized that when urbanization based initiatives are not explicitly detailed and framed by local potentials, urbanization would become just a story.

The meeting brought together the decision makers and technicians from the Ministry of Local Government (MINALOC), the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MINECOFIN), the Ministry of Education (MINEDUC), the Ministry of Health (MINISANTE), Local Development Agency (LODA), Rwanda Housing Authority (RHA), Rwanda Natural Resources Authority (RNRA), Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB), the Private Sector Federation (PSF_) and District Officials. The development of the NUP will create a positive impact in assessing the existing status of secondary cities and strategically forging the way foward for their perspective sustainable planning and development. This comes from the fact that the Government of Rwanda has attached a very high importance to promoting urbanization as a strategy to transform the economy of the Country. Thereupon, the development of Secondary Cities that are entitled “poles of growth” in EDPRS II should support the need to achieving an economic growth of 11.5% per annum as targeted by the national government.

The NUP Consultative meetings will continue to the Southern Province (Huye District) on 13^th to 14^th May 2014.