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KIGALI. – In a bid to fast track social and economic transformation of the country, the government of Rwanda seeks to achieve 70 percent of planned rural settlements within the next two years. The small central African country that was ravaged by the 1994 genocide which claimed more than a million lives and forced many others into exile has registered significant transformation within the last 21 years.

Speaking to reporters last Friday, Eng Didier Sagashya, director general Rwanda Housing Authority’s (RHA) said Rwanda will ensure that 70 percent of the population in rural areas live in planned and organised settlements.

“We call upon local administration authorities to ensure housing and other infrastructure projects under construction meet the national urbanisation plan,” he added. We are beginning to see positive developments in district towns where buildings are being remodelled to suit the land management plans.”

Presently rural households living in planned settlements are at 56 percent and are in line with the national land management policy. Rwanda is also targeting to increase its urbanization rate to 35 percent and create secondary cities in six years.

The Rwandan government has tried for two years to urbanise Musanze, Rusizi Bugegesera, Huye, Rubavu and Nyagatare Districts. According to the RHA, districts should also establish land banks, which buy and preserve land for future projects, and develop affordable housing financing mechanisms and accelerate the development of real estate for the delivery of improved services. – Xinhua