BUJUMBURA, November 15th (ABP) – The Torch of Peace arrived in the enlarged province of Bujumbura and in Bujumbura Mayorship on Wednesday, 13 November 2024, from Bubanza province (west), a check on the site by ABP has revealed.
The governor of Bubanza province, Cléophas Nizigiyimana, handed over the torch to the governor of Bujumbura province, Désiré Nsengiyumva, in the presence of members of the Intwararumuri team (the team of peace torchbearers) and the population of the current Rugazi and Mutimbuzi communes.
The torch was taken to the extended commune of Ntahangwa, in the Maramvya zone, at the 13th Transversale, where it illuminated the work of mixing cement and gravel to pave three classrooms at the Maramvya III Basic School.
In his welcome address, the administrator of the current Mutimbuzi commune, Siméon Butoyi, said that the population had already been warned and was ready to move into the new Ntahangwa commune, pointing out that the Maramvya zone attracts the population of Bujumbura town hall, who move there every year to settle. According to him, the number of pupils doubles every year, which means that the Ntahangwa commune will be obliged to develop other neighbourhoods in this area, and to build multi-storey schools to accommodate the ever-increasing number of pupils.
Governor Nsengiyumva, for his part, called for the development of neighbourhoods in Maramvya in order to separate the residential zone from the industrial zone so that there is no disaster tomorrow or the day after, adding that the Burundian government should take into account the situation of the current Mutimbuzi commune, which is located on the border with the DRC and is home to the international airport. Development work should take these aspects into account and pay particular attention to them so that foreign visitors do not underestimate Burundi.
On Tuesday afternoon, the torch of peace lit up the work of mixing concrete to pave the communal hotel under construction in the commune of extended Isare, in the headquarters of Rushubi.
Governor Nsengiyumva was quick to point out that the roads are in poor condition, which is preventing farmers from selling their produce at the market, and he called for those that are being rehabilitated to be finished and for thought to be given to others that have not yet been rehabilitated.
In the Mutimbuzi commune, as in the Isare commune, the president of the Intwararumuri Epipode Baranyikwa Association said that the torch would be carried in 42 communes in the country, which make up 5 provinces in the new administrative division. He announced that he would report on the wishes of the population and those in charge of Bujumbura province to those entitled to do so. He advised the administrative staff and natives of this province to write down all these projects as well as the operational plans so that the government can implement them.
Mr. Baranyikwa also delivered the message from the President of the Republic to choose leaders who will enable Burundi to achieve its national vision of emerging in 2024 and developing in 2060, adding that all projects must take account of this vision for the country.
Before moving on to the commune of Isare, the torch of peace passed through the communes of Mukaza and Ntahangwa, in the Bujumbura Mayorship, where it illuminated the construction of a maternity unit at the Buyenzi health center, in the commune of Mukaza, Buyenzi zone, and the Gihosha primary school, in the commune of Ntahangwa, Gihosha zone.
On this occasion, the chairman of the ʺIntwararumuri ʺEpipode Baranyikwa team, called on various officials to think about sustainable development projects that align with the national vision. To this end, he appealed to local residents to be prepared to vote for leaders capable of implementing these projects, with a view to achieving this national vision.
Mr. Baranyikwa also recommended that Bujumbura town hall administrators raise awareness among their constituents of the need for hygiene in their surroundings, in order to keep the city of Bujumbura clean.