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Evaluating Kigali’s Affordable Housing Projects

Angel Gimalo
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Evaluating Kigali’s Affordable Housing Projects

In Kigali City, there is a shortage of over 30,000 dwelling units out of 31,279 units in demand every year, studies show.

With urbanization expected to rise to 35 per cent urban by 2024, the housing demand is expected to rise further in coming years necessitating more real estate firms to invest in affordable housing to meet the demand.

However, failure to meet targets in executing some affordable housing projects could lead beneficiaries to wait a bit longer for the shelter.

Rwanda Housing Authority acquired 38 hectares expropriated at the cost of Rwf4 billion for the purpose of affordable houses projects in Kigali City.

However, according to the report of the Auditor General for the year ended June 30, 2020, there is persistent failure to build affordable houses on land acquired for the purpose in Kigali City.

There is 18-hectare land worth Rwf2.3 billion in Ndera Sector of Gasabo District and 20-hectare land expropriated at Rwf1.7 billion in Kanombe Sector in Kicukiro District.

According to the Auditor General, the field visit conducted on March 26 this year, about seven years since the expropriation exercise in Ndera sector commenced, revealed that the project of affordable houses had not started.

“The acquired land was still idle. Management attributed the failure due to lack of private investor/developer for the project,” the auditor said.

The report indicates that the acquired land in Kicukiro District in Kanombe Sector at Busanza is not in use.

The Housing Authority got a private investor in 2017 to construct 1,024 housing units on seven hectares only.

However, by the time of audit in April 2021, the remaining 13 hectares or 64 percent of the expropriated land was still idle.

The probe found that the investor had an execution of three years to complete the construction of the units but, at the time of auditing in March 2021 nine months after the end of agreed duration of works, only 420 units representing 41 percent had been constructed.

The report adds that cases of affordable housing projects not implemented by investors and developers also remain a concern.

The auditor shows that Rwanda Housing Authority did not provide the agreed basic infrastructure support to enable investors to execute their projects for 3,978 affordable houses in Gasabo and Kicukiro district.

The works for housing projects on 49 hectares in Masaka sector of Kicukiro District and Gasogi in Gasabo District, Kinyinya in Gasabo District had been suspended by investors waiting for the government to provide basic infrastructure support.

Works for other projects had not started by March this year as basic infrastructure were not yet put in place.

“Failure to provide basic infrastructure support negatively affected the implementation and timely completion of such affordable housing construction projects,” the auditor wrote.

The Ministry of Infrastructure says that more real estate firms ought to invest in affordable housing to meet the demand for shelter that is projected at 310,000 housing units by 2032. Currently 217,000 units are needed in the country.

Djibouti, Ethiopia to Launch Second Power Line

Angel Gimalo
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Djibouti, Ethiopia to Launch Second Power Line

Djibouti and Ethiopia have secured finance to build a second electricity transmission line after the two neighbours enjoyed the returns from the first project that linked their power grids.

The first project has enabled Djibouti to import Ethiopia’s hydropower-processed, renewable and cheap electricity.

After, the two countries agreed to further develop the project, the African Development Bank (AfDB) has now approved two grant loans worth $83.6 million which enables Ethiopia and Djibouti to proceed with the construction of their second power transmission line which will eventually boost their energy trade.

According to a statement the bank issued last week, the Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group approved the funds in a bid to boost cross-border trade in electricity between Ethiopia and Djibouti.

The grants also intend to deepen economic integration in the Horn of Africa’s region.

The funds comprise a $69.65 million grant to Ethiopia and a second grant of $13.93 million to Djibouti and were sourced from the African Development Fund, the African Development Bank’s concessional financing window.

The latest loans are granted based on a long-term loan framework, will be used for the second Ethio-Djibouti power transmission line project.

The Ethiopia-Djibouti Second Power Interconnection project, according to the bank, will entail the construction of nearly 300 km of interconnector line, 170 km of transmission lines, and new construction or renovation of substations in the two countries.

“The first interconnection line is reaching its power transfer capacity limit due to several developments in both countries, such as the industrial development in the eastern part of Ethiopia, the railway line from Djibouti to Ethiopia (powered by electricity), and the port expansion in Djibouti “said Batchi Baldeh, the Bank’s Director of Power Systems Development.

“The two countries have thus decided to develop the second power interconnection line to maintain energy security and reliability for Djibouti” Baldeh added.

Baba Ijesha: LASG To Prosecute Nollywood Actor For Contempt Of Court

Koko Lawrence
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Baba Ijesha: LASG To Prosecute Nollywood Actor For Contempt Of Court

The Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) says it will prosecute a Nollywood actor, Yomi Fabiyi, for contempt of court over airing a movie about the facts of a case under judicial consideration.

The Lagos State Director of Public Prosecution, Olayinka Adeyemi, on Monday, told an Ikeja Special Offences Court that Fabiyi produced a movie entitled “Oko Iyabo,” based on the court proceedings of June 24, 2021.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju James, alias ‘Baba Ijesha’ is facing a six-count charge bordering on the indecent treatment of a child, sexual assault, attempted sexual assault by penetration and sexual assault by penetration at the court.

Adeyemi told the court on Monday that despite warnings during proceedings of June 24 that the matter was sub judice and, therefore, prohibited from public discussion elsewhere, Fabiyi went ahead and made a movie about the facts of the case.

The DPP noted that the movie, which was aired after the proceedings of June 24, breached the Judge’s directives by revealing sensitive information about the case which is before the court.

“Despite the warnings of this honourable court, an actor called Yomi Fabiyi went ahead and made a movie about the facts of this case.

“He used real names of the parties and witnesses in this matter in the movie. Our application is to exclude him, his privies and his agents from proceedings in court.

“He is not in court at the moment but his representatives may be in court. This is contempt of court and we intend to prosecute him and bring him before this court,” the DPP said.

Reacting, Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo expressed displeasure about the development and ordered for an investigation.

“This case is sub judice and you are not to be making videos and disparaging comments on social media. This needs to be investigated,” the judge said.

Responding to the allegations, the lead defence counsel, Mr Dada Awosika (SAN), said that though he was aware of the movie, it was filmed before the criminal case began in court.

“The movie is about the controversy between two artistes – Yomi Fabiyi and Iyabo Ojo. I saw the movie on YouTube.

“The two of them are supporters on different sides. Fabiyi is one supporter and Ojo is another supporter.

“This movie is about the controversy between both of them and they are not parties to this case,” Awosika said.

Justice Taiwo reiterated the fact that the allegations against Fabiyi should be investigated by authorities to enable legal actions to be taken against him if he is found culpable.

World Leaders Meet To Raise U.S.$5 Billion For Education

Precious Obazee
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World Leaders Meet To Raise U.S.$5 Billion For Education

Leaders from across the world will convene in London this week, to fundraise for education and seek political commitment from governments to prioritise financing the sector from domestic resources despite pandemic pressures on public expenditure.

The Global Partnership for Education Summit (GPE) scheduled for July 28 and 29, in London, will be hosted by the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The summit seeks to raise at least $5 billion as a rolling target over the next five years to give at least 175 million children the opportunity to learn.

President Kenyatta, in a pre-summit statement, said he hopes the Heads of State will commit to protect domestic financing for education while urging international actors such as the G7 to extend the debt suspension servicing initiative, reallocation of the IMF’s Special Drawing Rights to lower income countries as well as debt relief to give room for countries to raise the much needed resources.

The summit comes at a time when the Covid-19 debacle has increased the annual financing gap for education in low and middle-income countries from the estimated $148 billion to almost $200 billion, with many, especially girls likely to drop out of school.

The summit will also lobby governments to pay special attention to girl’s education because they have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic, dropping out of school due to early pregnancy and marriage.

Grace Mugabe’s Sister, Minister Feud Over Farm Escalates

Angel Gimalo
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Grace Mugabe’s Sister, Minister Feud Over Farm Escalates

The feud between Mashonaland Central Provincial Minister Monica Mavhunga and the former First Lady, Grace Mugabe’s sister, Rosemary Chidhakwa has escalated after the minister counter-sued the latter at the High Court.

Chidhakwa was the first to approach the courts recently accusing Mavhunga, and her workers of invading her farm and disrupting winter wheat cropping currently underway.

She complained the minister’s actions were unlawful as there was a court order issued this year interdicting Mavhunga against illegally occupying the farm – Subdivision 1 Farm 25 of Glendale, Mazowe, Mashonaland Central.

In her counter application, Mavhunga told the court that in November 2020, the Lands Ministry offered her subdivision of the same piece of land.

“The effect of the aforementioned subdivision was that a new plot was created namely subdivision 2 of Farm 25 of Glendale measuring 262.435 hectares,” the minister wrote in her court application.

She told the court that two parties were shown physical boundaries in the presence of their lawyers and accused Chidhakwa of illegally intending to grab her land.

“The defendant has failed, refused, and or neglected to vacate the said premises in order to give plaintiff vacant possession of subdivision 2,” she wrote in her declaration.”

The minister is demanding an order ejecting Chidhakwa and her employees from the land as she was granted rights over the subdivision before she was given an offer letter.

On the other hand, Chidhakwa claims Mavhunga invaded her land and occupied the main farmhouse after evicting her manager who lived there.

In her court papers, Chidhakwa said Lands Minister Anxious Masuka gave orders to officials from the Lands Ministry to order Chidhakwa’s manager to vacate the farm within three days.

“Mavhunga’s employees against a court order HC2019/21 returned to occupy the farm and took occupation of a farmhouse used by Chidhakwa’s manager and declared to share the lodgings,” read the court papers.

Chidhakwa said if Mavhunga was not removed immediately from the farm she was set to lose out financially as she had a winter crop under irrigation.

The full hearing of the matter is pending.

Malawi Begins Classes In World’s First 3D-Printed School

Precious Obazee
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Malawi Begins Classes In World’s First 3D-Printed School

A joint venture formed by cement group LafargeHolcim and UK development financier, CDC Group, has unveiled a 3D-printed school in Malawi.

Switzerland-based Holcim announced the launch of the school – the world’s first built with 3D printing (3DP) – in the Salima District.

The company said the walls were printed in just 18 hours, compared to several days it takes when using conventional building materials, and children began learning in the new school on June 21.

According to data from UNICEF, Malawi has an estimated shortage of 36,000 classrooms.

The green construction joint venture, 14Trees, has said this shortfall could be eliminated in just ten years with 3DP, as opposed to 70 years using conventional construction methods.

But even though 3D printing could transform construction around the world, its high cost is a challenge.

While the school cost about 15% less to print than to build, the 3D printing machine costs about $500,000 but the project implementers say costs will go down as materials begin to be locally produced.

Meanwhile, 14Trees plans to continue demonstrating the power of the technology by printing more schools and houses in Malawi as well as in Kenya and Zimbabwe.

Pres. Kenyatta Secures Temporary Relief In CAS Court Battle

Angel Gimalo
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Pres. Kenyatta Secures Temporary Relief In CAS Court Battle

Attorney-General Paul Kihara Kariuki has secured a temporary relief in a court battle that involves President Uhuru Kenyatta’s decision to create the position of chief administrative secretary (CAS) and failure to subject Cabinet secretaries reappointed in 2017 to fresh vetting and approval by Parliament.

The Court of Appeal has once again suspended implementation of the High Court judgment that declared the President’s decision unconstitutional.

“It is our finding that although there is already an inbuilt stay granted by the trial court, public interest underpinning the substratum of the intended appeal would demand that we affirm the interim orders,” ruled justices Roselyne Nambuye, Wanjiru Karanja and Agnes Murgor while suspending the judgment of High Court judge Anthony Mrima.

A majority of CASs are 2017 poll losers such as Ababu Namwaba, Gideon Mung’aro, Rachel Shebesh, Alex Mwiru, Linah Chebii, Ken Obura, Hussein Dado and Simon Kachapin among others.

Also affected by the judgment are Cabinet Secretaries Fred Matiang’i (Interior), James Macharia (Roads and Transport), Joe Mucheru (ICT), Eugene Wamalwa (Devolution), Charles Keter (Energy), Raychelle Omamo (Foreign Affairs), Adan Mohamed (East Africa Community), Sicily Kariuki (Water), Najib Balala (Tourism) and Amina Mohamed (Sports).

The trial court ruled that they ought to have been vetted afresh for a second term in office.

In urging the Court of Appeal to stay the trial court’s findings, the Attorney-General, through Chief State Counsel Charles Mutinda, argued that if the orders granted by Judge Mrima are not stayed, the position of CAS as currently constituted will cease to exist.

He said the office holders will not only lose their jobs but their actions during the time they held office may be called to question. Mutinda argued that ten Cabinet secretaries and a number of principal secretaries may suffer a similar fate and the Cabinet will not be properly constituted.

The government, he argued, would also be incapable of functioning optimally and that the ultimate losers will be the public.

He stated that it would also be impossible to comply with the order of the High Court within the remainder of the current presidential term which was just about 15 months as at the time of the delivery of the disputed judgment.

Kwara Gov Approves Intensive Clinical Training for PHCs Workers

Olasunbo Okoromi
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Kwara Gov Approves Intensive Clinical Training for PHCs Workers

The Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, in continuation of his efforts at ensuring availability of quality healthcares services at the grassroots, is once again supporting an intensive one-week capacity building and training for key staff of all Basic HealthCare Provision Fund (BHCPF) validated PHCs across the state.

This training is being conducted as a collaborative effort of the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, under the leadership of the Executive Secretary, Dr. Nusirat Elelu, and the State Health Insurance Agency, under the leadership of the Executive Secretary, Dr. Olubunmi Jetawo-Winter; with oversight from the State Ministry of Health and support of the State Commisioner for Health, Dr. Raji Rasaq as well as the House Committee Chairman on Health, Honourable Rasaq Owolabi.

“This capacity building will ensure that gaps identified in providing quality healthcare services to the grassroots’ are bridged, and confidence of the people in accessing care at our primary Healthcare centers is restored,” according to a joint statement by the organisers.

“The primary healthcare centres provide first line access to basic healthcare services. However, referral services are also made available if a condition dictates that patients need additional care to accredited secondary facilities.

“Under the BHCPF programme of the Federal government with counterpart funds released by Kwara State government, 21,000 indigents have been given health insurance cards to access free healthcare services for a full year and renewable, as one of the ways our government is alleviating poverty in Kwara State.

“The State Primary Healthcare Development Agency is working tirelessly to ensure quality equipment and drugs are made available so far to 158 validated primary Healthcare facilities across the state. Furthermore from the decentralised facility financing paid directly to the PHCs, minor infrastructural repair of facilities are currently ongoing at the validated PHCs.

“This capacity building will be conducted in 2 batches for 2 weeks commencing from Monday July 26th 2021. A total of 185 participants which will include the newly recruited nurses/midwives by the Kwara State Government, additional midwives recruited under the BHCPF, BHCPF desk officers, as well as health workers drawn from across validated PHCs” the statement added.

“Topics they will be trained upon will range from antenatal care and delivery techniques, identification and management of medical emergencies, Basic Life Support Skills, management of chronic illnesses, referral services, documentation in clinical setting, health education, and many more. These are all aimed at reducing maternal, infant mortality and morbidity, and improving health indices in Kwara State.”

Kenyan President Says Referendum Inevitable, Wants Constitutional Changes

Angel Gimalo
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Kenyan President Says Referendum Inevitable, Wants Constitutional Changes

President Uhuru Kenyatta and former prime minister Raila Odinga are still clinging to the hope of successfully pushing through constitutional changes which are currently bogged down in the courts, through a referendum before the 2022 elections.

President Kenyatta stated that the referendum was inevitable, saying the proposed constitutional changes popularly known as the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) would ensure the devolution of more resources to the counties and fair representation in parliament.

Seven judges of the Court of Appeal are set to give their verdict on August 20, 2021 after the president and the referendum’s designated promoters challenged the High Court judgment.

BBI proposes to increase the number of constituencies, which the proponents of the reforms say will see more resources sent to the grassroots to stimulate growth and promote equity.

With slightly over 12 months to the 2022 elections, speculation is rife that President Kenyatta may have settled on Odinga, his bitter rival in the last two polls, as his preferred successor.

In a fresh twist to the vicious war between the judiciary and the executive that has been ongoing for at least two years, newly appointed Chief Justice Martha Koome and the Judicial Service Commission have for the first time publicly backed Kenyatta’s decision to omit six judges from a list of 40 individuals nominated to top courts two years ago.

AKO Caine Prize: Meron Hadero Named First Ethiopian Winner

Koko Lawrence
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AKO Caine Prize: Meron Hadero Named First Ethiopian Winner

Meron Hadero has become the first Ethiopian author to win the prestigious AKO Caine Prize for African Writing.

“I’m absolutely thrilled, I’m in shock – being shortlisted in itself was a huge honour,” she told the BBC.

Her winning short story is about an Ethiopian boy called Getu, who has to navigate the fraught power dynamics of NGOs and foreign aid in Addis Ababa.

It impressed the judges who found it “utterly without self-pity” and said it “turn the lens” on the usual clichés.

Hadero will take home £10,000 ($13,000) in prize money.

The author was born in Ethiopia and raised in the US by parents who are both medical doctors. Her sister is the singer Meklit Hadero, whose support was “absolutely essential” to her success, Hadero says.

She says stories of “refugees, immigrants and those at risk of being displaced” are always the “entry-point emotionally” to her work.

“With The Street Sweep, he has that threat looming. He’s facing losing his ancestral home, and that’s the real driver of the story that makes him take charge and try to re-write that outcome that seems kind of inevitable,” Hadero told BBC Focus on Africa.

Much of The Street Sweep is set in Addis Ababa’s Sheraton hotel, where Getu is invited for a party.

“Looking through his eyes it’s almost a culture shock when he goes there,” Hadero said.

“I did want to paint that contrast… What does that access mean? And what does that bestow? That’s the bigger question of what those open doors represent.”

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