The Right Honourable Prime Minister Bernard MAKUZA visited Western Province in particular Rusizi and Nyamasheke Districts from 18 to 21/11/2009 to assess their implementation of various development related Government Programmes and address some specific issues to the area.

On the first day of his visit, the Prime Minister went onto Nkombo island to see the progress made in rebuilding houses destroyed by an earthquake in 2008. He also met local leaders for a brief message.

On his second day, the Prime Minister visited a Kivu Arabica Coffee Company and MAGERWA in Mururu Sector, in Bugarama , an extensive maize plantation, a rice growing cooperative ( CPRB) and also met rice farmers. In Rwimbogo Sector, he visited a Groupe scolaire in Mushaka and later on talked to the local population.

On the third day, the Prime Minister visited a Shangi secondary school, a health centre in Kamonyi, a centre for disabled children (Ngwino Nawe), exemplary and outstanding farmers of Bushekeri Sector, APEKA secondary school in Kagano sector and finally addressed the local population.

On the last day of his visit, Prime Minister Bernard MAKUZA joined the local population of Nyamasheke District, Karengera Sector in concluding the National tree plantation programme.

Key Message to People of Western Province

The Prime Minister commended the local population for their tremendous efforts and for the various progress made.

In a key note speech, the Prime Minister encouraged his listeners to work in cooperatives, to use modern farming techniques and continue to grow maize and rice on a large scale, to finalize their construction of the nine year basic education classrooms and to ensure maximum productive utilization of the electricity recently generated by various development related projects.

He also called on the local population to be selfless as they contribute towards the development of their country for example by squarely paying their taxes and thereby avoid involvement in such fraudulent acts as tax evasion and others.

He called on people to curb the high fertility rates in Rusizi and Nyamasheke Districts that is estimated at 5-6 children per woman. On this note, he pointed out that high fertility rates bear adverse impacts on the socio-economic development, both at individual and national levels. He urged them to be responsive to the national family planning programme so as to be able to check their fertility rates.

He invited them to draw inspiration from their other good examples such as special attention given to the most vulnerable, handicapped and old people.

He finally encouraged them to protect and maintain a clean and green environment by planting trees and also tendering them.