KAYANZA, April 1 (ABP) – Spokespersons from various state institutions hosted a public broadcast this Friday in the headquarters of Kayanza commune, in Butanyerera province (north), to answer questions from journalists and the people. During the session, several concerns were addressed and responses provided.
According to Rosine Guilène Gatoni, spokesperson for the President of the Republic, the Head of State, Evariste Ndayishimiye, congratulates Burundians on the harvests obtained during agricultural season A, while encouraging them to redouble their efforts and determination for season B. He stressed the need to combat erosion by protecting agricultural soils, especially with the approach of the heavy rainy season.
As part of implementing the national vision, the Head of State urges the people to increase production in all sectors to ensure sustainable growth. He calls on citizens to fight laziness and behaviors that hinder development. President Ndayishimiye also urges parents to fully assume their role in educating their children, emphasizing that any failure in this regard is their responsibility. He encourages women to remain close to their children, particularly during this month dedicated to them.
Addressing the youth, he encourages them to remain responsible, avoid misconduct, and make use of their talents and abilities, affirming their potential to contribute to the country’s development.
Finally, he encourages taxpayers to properly fulfill their tax obligations, while asking tax collection agents to demonstrate professionalism.
During the question-and-answer session, several issues were raised, including the salaries of public servants and employees of parastatal companies. On this matter, Ms. Gatoni indicated that the process had experienced some irregularities but that these have now been corrected. “The file is currently in the hands of the Head of State. The necessary funds have already been included in the State’s annual budget,” she revealed, calling on workers to be patient.
Regarding the fuel shortage, Jérôme Niyonzima, Secretary General of the State and government spokesperson, stated that this situation should not be viewed solely negatively. According to him, the fact that the issue arises shows that there are resources to manage. He also pointed to certain behaviors, notably speculation and the illegal resale of fuel on the black market.
Mr. Niyonzima further stated that solutions are underway, particularly thanks to revenues from the mining sector. According to him, this sector has already generated more than 96 million US dollars. This inflow of foreign currency helps ease the difficulties related to fuel supply, long worsened by a shortage of foreign exchange.
On the subject of tensions in the Middle East, he said that these conflicts are not new and will not have a major impact. He assured that the Burundian government remains vigilant to ensure the country’s supply of strategic products.
The issue of the shortage of cement produced by “Burundi Cement Company” in the headquarters of former provinces was also raised. In response, the spokesperson for the ministry in charge of trade, Paul Ndarihonyoye, stated that this issue is visible across the entire national territory and that the ministry plans to contact wholesalers who source it from the company’s headquarters, as well as the Burundi petroleum company, in order to improve the distribution of this product across different localities of the country.
Some of the people who were present on site, as well as those participating live by phone, also raised the issue of construction in the Imbo plain, a region known to be suitable for agriculture. In response, Jérôme Niyonzima indicated that the ministry in charge of agriculture will soon proceed with the geolocation of cultivable areas and those designated for other activities.