Mvukiyehe Bernard is a 65-year-old man with a disability who lives in Bukuba Village, Muramba Cell, Cyabingo Sector in Gakenke District, expressing his heartfelt gratitude after receiving a house, he thanked EFEMIRWA Company in collaboration with Gakenke District for building it for him, saying that he no longer struggles to reach his home.
“Before this house was built, I lived in a dangerous area at the bottom of a hill, prone to landslides. Rain would pour on me while I walked with difficulty using a cane. But fortunately, I got this plot of land, and thanks to the supportive leadership, I received help and a roof over my head. Now I live comfortably.” He spoke.
He went on saying that after becoming disabled, he was deeply worried about where he would live, but now he feels at peace. Besides the house, Mvukiyehe Bernard also received a cow, which helps him produce fertilizer.
“Before I got the cow, I used to farm but didn’t get good yields because I lacked fertilizer. But now that I have the cow, my harvests have improved, and I even have surplus to sell.” He said
Nsabimana Fabrice, the Deputy Director of Human Resources at EFEMIRWA Company, said that as a company working closely with local communities, they support initiatives to improve people’s well-being. This, he explained, helps residents understand the value of the minerals being extracted and how they benefit both the community and the nation.
“Minerals are national resources that should benefit citizens. In our agreements with the Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board (RMB), we commit to carrying out development and social welfare projects. These projects must be done near our mining operations, so we assess the needs of nearby communities and help them benefit from the national wealth we are using to earn profits.” He spoke.
Vestine Mukandayisenga, the Mayor of Gakenke District, urged residents to take care of the support and facilities provided to them and to work hard, since such support will not be permanent.
“It’s good that the government supports vulnerable citizens, but we ask them to take good care of what they receive and remember that, for example, when the house gets old, it may not be replaced. That’s why it’s important to work hard and strive for self-reliance.” She spoke
EFEMIRWA is a mining company operating in the Cyabingo and Busengo Sectors.
The company’s leadership stated that each year, they allocate between 8 to 10 million Rwandan Francs to support development projects for communities near their mining sites.
