Igihe

Author: b_igi_adm1n

  • 22.1% of forest cover achieved

    Rwanda has achieved a 22.1% of the targeted 30% of the forest cover in the country, Liliose Umupfasoni, the Director of Forestry in the Ministry of Natural Resources(MINIRENA) has said.

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    This follows the government’s efforts to make forestry one of the key pillars of the national economy in order so as to support the development of agriculture, tourism, energy, food, environmental stability.

    Umupfasoni was speaking to igihe.com in a separate interview after addressing participants the workshop that brought all stakeholders on National Forestry Policy Implementation organized by the Association Rwandaise des Ecologistes (ARECO-RWANDA NZIZA).

    ERECO-Rwanda Nziza is a civil society organization that is currently conducting national campaign on tree planting.

    “We have already achieved 22.1% forest cover in the country, and before the end of the year we will have planted another 1.3% to make it 23.4%,” Umupfasoni said in an interview.

    “We have hopes that by the year 2020 we will have achieved our target of reaching 30% forest coverage on the national territory,” Umupfasoni added.

    She further noted that her Ministry holds monthly meetings with the stakeholders to discuss on possible ways of reaching the target.

    In addition Umupfasoni said that other groups including District Defense officers, Police, Forest officers, Agronomists and civil society organs have been set into all districts and headed by Vice Mayors in charge of Economic Affairs to make follow-ups on the conservation.

    Dancilla Mukakamari, National Coordinator of ARECO-Rwanda Nziza told igihe.com that however much the step is appetizing; a lot of efforts are needed to reach the target.
    The workshop aimed at discussing challenges facing forests and then find way forward for sustainability.

    “We brought together stakeholders, law implementers, and researchers among others to share knowledge and find solution on forest sustainability,” Mukakamari said.
    Ends

  • Will Rwanda Achieve 30% Forest Cover By 2020?

    The year 2011 was dedicated to forestry by the United Nations under the theme, ‘Forests for People’ in order to celebrate the central role of people in the sustainability of the world forests, habitat for diversity, source of food, medicine and clean water.

    Despite the efforts made by the United Nations, in Rwanda the policy is to make forestry one of the pillars of national economy playing role in supporting agriculture, tourism, environmental stability and energy among others.

    The government of Rwanda set to achieving forestry coverage of 30% of the national territory by the year 2020. This year the government and partners are conducting tree a planting campaign to meet multiple needs.

    However,researchers, forestry authorities, civil society organizations, local communities among other stakeholders on forestry policy implementation have shown the low survival of trees planted and that natural forests are being destroyed despite the government plans to achieve the goal thus the question goes; who to blame, and what to do to achieve the percentage?

    Speaking to residents in Kidogo, Rilima sector, Bugesera district; Anton Twagirimana said that a lot of trees are planted but the problem comes on maintaining them. He added that in their area, there is a problem of animals that destroy forests.

    Twagirimana recognizes the advantages of forests. “In the past years like in 2000, our area had a lot of droughts but ever since the tree planting campaign started, we have really survived because today our plants can grow and we harvest in plenty.”

    Rwanda Environment Conservation Organization (RECOR) and the Association of Rwandaise des Ecologiste (ARECO-RWANDA NZIZA) under the assistance of National University of Rwanda recently released a survey that exposed reasons for hindered forestry sustainability.

    According to Prof. Esron Munyanziza from NUR who was heading the researchers told igihe.com that one of the major cause; there is over population of both people and animals, and then seasonal factor, and that also sometimes different tree species are planted in different areas where conditions does not favor the.

    Dancilla Mukakamari, National Coordinator of Association Rwandaise des Ecologistes (ARECO-Rwanda Nziza) and Campaign Organizer of both ARECO-Rwanda Nziza and Rwanda Environment Conservation Organization (RECOR) the two civil society organs that seem to be more active in planting and maintaining of forests to support the government efforts to sustain the forest sector, is calling upon the public and private sectors, and other civil society organizations, and individuals among other stakeholders to employ much efforts and ensure the government objective is fulfilled.

  • France’s Castres District To Improve Health Services in Huye

    The delegation from Frence’s district called Castres promised their district is ready to assist Huye District in Southern in improving the sector of health mainly helping health centres to operate in good conditions.

    After their visit to several health centres, they say they noticed some challenges in the working conditions of some centres, including the lack of electricity, water and lack of enough equipment.

    They say they are ready to bring their assistance, as long as Huye district will have established the plan of how to improve these conditions.

    Christine Niwemugeni, the Vice Mayor in charge of social welfare promised the district will sooner elaborate the plan.

    Vice Mayor Niwemugeni expects to gain more in the partnership of the two districts, as both Huye and Castres are committed to working together and sharing professional experiences in various fields including; ICT, culture and health.

    Huye and Castres have been in partnership for a long time, and the visit of this delegation follows the visit of Huye Mayor Kayiranga Muzuka Eugène.

  • Rwandan Among Connect 4Climate Competition Winners

    A riveting photo “Solar Panels: The Sunny Energy” by a young Durbanite, Dina Osman, and a catchy rap video “Me and My Bike” celebrating bicycle transport by Dickson Oyuki of Kenya won top honors in the Africa-wide Connect4Climate competition announced in Durban today.

    Rwanda ‘s Alfonse Karenzi among Connect 4Climate Competition Winners.

    Robyn Curnow, South African CNN Anchor, announced the winners at the packed Africa Pavilion of the COP 17 meeting. The event celebrated and showcased the creative energies of African youth, ages 13 to 35, who contributed 639 photos and 47 videos to answer key questions such as, How is climate change affecting Africa? Your country? Your community? You, your friends, and your family?

    “The C4C competition was first and foremost an effort to hear the voices of African youth and engage their creative talents to create climate smart solutions for tomorrow,” said Andrew Steer, World Bank Special Envoy for Climate Change.

    “The response was enthusiastic with entries from every country on the African continent. The photos and videos we see today are proof positive that even as governments deliberate climate change, people are taking action on the ground and achieving results.”

    The 54 winners hail from 20 African countries including Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Egypt, Eritrea, Gambia, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Morocco, Niger, Rwanda, South Africa, Somalia, Sudan, Tunisia, Uganda, and Zambia. Prizes include solar backpacks, digital video and still cameras, and computer tablets.

    Commenting on the importance of the awards, Monique Barbut, CEO and Chairperson of the Global Environment Facility, a C4C sponsor, said, “C4C is an inspiration for those most often regarded as too young to be heard. Now, young Africans can reach world audiences through this new platform.”

    “I am convinced that the search for solutions to today’s climate change challenges must include those who will suffer its consequences the most and have the most to contribute through their daily actions. These are the young stakeholders.”

    Young people submitted climate change stories related to one of six categories: agriculture, energy, forests, gender, health, and water. The response to the competition was impressive, with entries from budding photographers and filmmakers from every country on the African continent.

    The winning photographs include powerful images of drought and floods as well as innovative solutions such as solar panels, clean cookstoves, and reforestation projects to name just a few.

    The C4C campaign unites over 110 partners, including international organizations, social media networks, UN agencies, civil society including academic institutions, as well as youth organizations and private sector representatives.

    Since launching in September, C4C has built a Facebook community of over 100,000 followers with a weekly online reach of six million.

    The Italian Ministry of Environment is a core sponsor and founding member of the initiative. In a message, Corrado Clini, Italy’s newly-appointed Minister of Environment said, “Today’s rapidly changing social media environment presents a great opportunity for global discussion, advocacy, and participation.

    The C4C campaign is amplifying local voices and enabling policymakers to listen and learn from the innovations that are happening throughout Africa and helping to bring together environmentally-engaged citizens from all corners of the globe.”

  • Swedish Online shopping Company Opens Shop in Kigali

    Atsoko.com an online Stockholm that manages the website, logistics and sourcing is already on market to develop an online shopping website and service in Rwanda.

    Atsoko is a website that offers people living in Rwanda an online personal shopping service, making it possible for them to buy things from web stores in Europe, without a credit card.

    Atsoko CEO, Marie Englesson told igihe.com that, “In October we launched our Atsoko web shop, with our own catalogue of items. Here we post products that our clients have bought through our personal shopping service, or items that we recommend. This helps our clients to get an idea of what you can buy online.”

    Englesson further revealed that they have just reached an agreement with a local supermarket that will take care of payments and deliveries for Atsoko’s clients, starting January 2012.

    “We have realized that our clients want a physical shop where they can make payments and pick up their deliveries for things they order online,” she pointed out. The company she said is seeing several synergies with partnering with a local supermarket.

    According to her, shopping online is addictive most of the time. “People are hesitant, but we now have a steady group of returning clients. Shopping online may seem complicated the first time, but once you understand how it works, it is addictive.”

    Atsoko is a group of companies with Atsoko International AB as the mother company.

    Atsoko International AB is founded and based in Sweden, and it is in Stockholm we manage the website, logistics and sourcing.

    Our sales offices Atsoko Tanzania Ltd and Atsoko Rwanda Ltd are registered in Dar es Salaam and in Kigali respectively.

  • Miss ISAE 2011 Slated for December 17th

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    The Higher Institute of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry (ISAE) are slated to crown the institution’s beauty queen Miss 2011 to be selected from five pageants.

    The function will be held on December 17. This will be the institutions third beauty contest since 2009.

    ISAE has come up with the theme; ‘Joining miss ISAE to environmental conservation’.

    Claude Kibibi, a student in the organizing committee said it was difficult to get girls interested in the beauty contest addding that others were being denied the chance by their parents.

    The event is being sponsored by IGIHE.com CNJR, BK, Ecobank, KCB, Tigo, RwandAir, Home Inn Hotel, Muhabura Hotel, Ishema Hotel, Julia Shop, La Comete, plus other different studios at Musanze.

  • Biruta is New Education Minister

    Former President of the Senate Dr. Vincent Biruta has been appointed as the new Minister of Education replacing Pierre Damien Habumuremyi who became the Prime Minister.

    The Announcement from the Office of the Prime Minister declared that President of the Republic basing on the Constitution has nominated different Ministers.
    – Minister of Education, Dr. Vincent Biruta

    – Minister of Youth, Jean Philibert Nsengimana

    – Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources Dr Agnes Kalibata

  • Gasabo: RPF Rich Ladies Vow To Help Poor Women

    Gasabo district RPF ladies are compiling a report to analyze better opportunities to uplift their standards of living and how wealthy women in the district can help the poor one via their forums and cooperatives in order to bring government programs into action.

    This was announced by Assoumpta Kabanyana Secretary of the RPFwomen’s forum in Gasabo district during their meeting that intended to remind them of their responsibilities as RPF Cadres held this weekend at the RPF district offices in Kimironko-Remera sector in Kigali.

    Kabanyana said. “We have rich women in our district and the poor ones. We are studying how to bring them together so that the poor ones can also benefit from the rich ones via the formation of different forums and cooperatives.”

    She added that by January 2012, the study will done and then put it in action.
    Commissioner Bernadette Kanzayire, in charge of Gender Promotions in RPF at the national level present at the meeting as the chief guest while reminding them of their responsibilities pointed out, “if you we realize our responsibilities as RPF women, our children and husbands as well will also realize them. This will bring us to fulfill RPF manifesto and to put in place government programs that will bring about sustainability to the country.”

    She challenged them to speed up government programs as RPF party and also to fight against challenges that may hinder party’s anticipated targets.
    Kanzayire also urged them to form associations and forums as one way to fight poverty and to ensure a steady economy among them.

  • World Bank, Govt Sign Poverty Reduction Financing Agreement

    The Minister of Finance and Economic Planning , John Rwangombwa and the World Bank Country Manager for Rwanda, Mimi Ladipo have today signed a US$125 million International eighth Development Association (IDA) Poverty Reduction Financing Agreement.

    The Eighth Poverty Reduction Support Financing (PRSF-8) will help the Government’s implementation priorities in its medium term strategy, the Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy.

    Given Rwanda’s status as a blend country, US$60 million of the funds are on IDA grant terms and US$65 million are on IDA credit terms.

    The PRSF-8 is the first operation in the third series of World Bank Poverty Reduction Support operations for Rwanda launched in 2002.

    The new series particularly supports the development of policies that facilitate increased private sector investment and involvement and ease constraints to broad based growth.

    “In order for Rwanda to sustainably increase its revenue base, it is important for the Government to continue to focus on developing a Foreign Direct Investment and to agree on a comprehensive private sector development strategy”.

    “In particular we encourage Rwanda to act decisively to remove any remaining constraints, including as relates to infrastructure, anti-competitive policies and practices, and taxation, to inward investment and to the development of the private sector,” Said Mimi Ladipo.

    During the PRSF8-10 priority areas of support will be policy measures aimed at: (i) supporting the facilitation of trade and investments; (ii) increasing access to electricity and improved infrastructure services; (iii) raising private sector participation in the agricultural sector;

    Others include (iv) increasing the quality and relevance of education to build a skilled workforce; (v) improving service delivery through focused and strategic civil service reform; and (vi) strengthening the management of public resources, including increasing transparency and accountability.

    The PRSF-8 financing is dependent on progress against EDPRS objectives as measured by the Common Performance Assessment Framework relied upon by all budget support partners in Rwanda.

    The most recent XIV Joint Budget Support Review, held on October 24-25, 2011, showed that Rwanda is making good progress in terms of implementing the targets and policy actions within the harmonized framework of budget support.

  • GIZ Supports Youth Friendly Health Centers

    GIZ a German NGO in Rwanda has vowed to strengthen youth friendly health centers as a way of improving reproductive health services especially in rural areas.

    The country director Ulrike Maenne highlighted that the youth are benefiting from the program and have also gained the courage to visit the health centers also offering elaborated information about various health issues.

    “Awareness of HIV/AIDS for instance is essential and how to avoid the risks of acquiring non-communicable diseases,” she gave the remarks during a gathering of staff and their families.

    “we also have an internal sensitization program because we want our employees to be healthy, in similar gatherings which happen yearly, there’re always topics to be discussed mainly on better health practices, hence we would also want to implement this further to the public,” said Maenne.

    Liza Girrbach a public health specialist working for GIZ said plans are underway to reach out to the youth and educate them on reproductive health.
    “This is very important but we need to train health practitioners since there’s lack of human resource especially in remote areas”.

    In this respect, GIZ through the ministry of health has been supporting trainings of midwives, counselors and gynecologists.

    “These kind of services also facilitate better maternal health meaning there’re would be a reduction of infant mortality,” she advised.

    Currently, the youth friendly health centers are present in five districts; Nyaruguru,Kisagara, Huye, Gicumbi and Musanze.