SUMMARY REPORT OF THE PLENARY SESSION OF May 18, 2022

The year two thousand and twenty-two, on the eighteenth day of May, senators met in the hemicycle of the Senate for the 90^th plenary session of the sixth legislature to proceed to the approval of a candidate for the post of Governor. This session, which was chaired by the Speaker of the Senate, Right Honorable Emmanuel SINZOHAGERA, was attended by 30 senators and began, as usual, with a prayer at 10:10 a.m.

Opening the session, the Senate Speaker first welcomed all the Honourable senators and the Representative of the Government, Minister of Home Affairs, Community Development and Public Security, Mr. Gervais NDIRAKOBUCA. He informed the Honourable senators that it is important to review the programme which was planned for the period running from May 06 to May 18, 2022 in order to add to the date of May 18, at 09:00, the activity relating to the approval of a candidate for Governor.

The modified programme was adopted unanimously. Thereafter, the Right Honourable Speaker of the Senate gave the floor to the Minister, who had represented the Government, to present the curriculum vitae of a candidate for the post of Governor proposed by the President of the Republic. It was Mr. Emmanuel NTACONSANZE.

After this presentation, the Senate Speaker asked the Honourable senators to ask questions of clarification under the general debate.

As there were no questions, the Honourable senators proceeded to vote and the candidate was unanimously approved by the 39 voters, among whom 30 senators present and 9 proxies.

Subsequently, the Honourable senators proceeded to the second point relating to the oral question with debate addressed to the Minister of Home Affairs, Community Development and Public Security.

The Right Honourable Senate Speaker invited the Representative of the Government to provide clarifications to the various questions of the representatives of the people.

Upon being asked where the carriers of people and goods can get their fuel because their work areas do not allow them access to the supply, the Minister replied that there will be support measures to facilitate the allocation of fuel.

Concerning a customer shortage of vehicle garages in the peripheral districts of the city of Bujumbura, since almost the majority is concentrated in the Buyenzi, he said that the mechanics are money seekers; they go arrange to reach their customers. Moreover, these vehicles would keep on circulating without problems.

With regard to neighbourhoods where there is a lot of traffic while some carriers of people and goods do not have driving licenses, the Minister replied that the accompanying measures will be put in place with the aim of the smooth running of car from parks. Soon, there will be the rehabilitation of roads in the peripheral districts of the city of Bujumbura, he added.

Regarding the loans contracted by the owners of these vehicles who, today, do not receive payments properly, the Minister pointed out that the carriers of these vehicles continue to give payments without problem. There are only those who did not want the measure to be implemented. He even guaranteed them that in the days to come, the payment will be increased.

As for the poor performance that could be observed because of the lack of travel to public servants who are late for work, the Minister justified that the problem that is observed today is the decrease in oil products following the war between Russia and Ukraine. He further reported that very recently, a number of 60 to 100 new buses which have been bought will get to Bujumbura to facilitate travel.

To taxi drivers who are taking advantage of this moment of reduction in oil products by increasing travel prices, the Minister has indeed guaranteed that studies are being carried out to set travel prices. Prices will be calculated per kilometers traveled. He clarified.

Regarding the future of those who use bicycles, motorcycles and motor tricycles to transport people and goods, the Minister replied that their activities have been banned in the town of Bujumbura in order to avoid disorder in the city. He added that in order to avoid the frequently observed accidents, the police have already devices detecting vehicles which go at breakneck speed because their drivers are drunk.

Upon whether the Ministry has thought about the soaring prices which are observed in the market, the Minister pointed out that we cannot confirm that they result from the measures taken for those vehicles. Rather, the price increase depends on several factors, the main one being that there is the increase in fuel prices on the international market, he said.

In connection with the taxes that can decrease following the measure prohibiting bicycles, motorcycles and motor tricycles from circulating in the peripheral districts of the city of Bujumbura, the Minister replied that in-depth studies have been well conducted before taking the measure. He added that what is important is that there is a significant reduction in accident cases.

To the concern of the owners of bicycles, motorcycles and motor tricycles who lament that these can be stolen especially since they do not have access to go to some neighbourhoods where those vehicles should be hidden, the Minister indicated that most the time, stolen vehicles are taken to neighbourhoods where it is now forbidden to go. In addition, it would be even more regrettable if we facilitate the circulation of these vehicles in the target neighbourhoods. The banning of circulation in those districts will lead to the reduction in theft, he explained.

As for the communes of the Town of Bujumbura which are not free for self-financing and administration like all the other communes of the country, the Minister replied that nothing is missing. Without those communes, the town of Bujumbura cannot function.

Regarding State spaces granted to individuals, the Minister replied that the State has already issued a circular asking all Governors to identify all these spaces in order to grant them to cooperatives to exploit them.

He further said that the funds allocated to the cooperatives will continue to be given in order to educate the population to keep on working together.

Concerning the policy of destruction of houses which are built next to roads and which even today have badges, the Minister replied that the measure has not been stopped, the only problems is that there are houses that are in conflict and whose lawsuits are still in the courts.

As for the motor tricycles which have documents allowing them to transport goods and persons while the Traffic Laws does not allow it, he pointed out that there was a small delay following the various events that marked our country but the measures would be put in place very soon.

In relation to the bumps which are not in sufficient number at the RN7 to avoid road accidents, the representative of the Government indicated that the State will take this issue in hand by calling on the administration to get much more involved.

To policemen who rob in work uniforms, the Minister suggested that the administration should collaborate with the police in order to eradicate this bad behaviour.

As of whether the police should wear their uniforms while returning to their homes from their job, the Minister replied that the law prohibiting the policeman from returning home in uniform does exist.

To the concerns that some communes may not be able to pay the allowances and bonuses granted to the administrators and their advisers, the Minister indicated that in the intervening period, the communes are able to pay them. If it happens that some communes become unable to pay them, the State will support them, he clarified.

With regard to tax collectors who do not have experience in computer tools, the Minister pointed out that tax collectors continue to use receipts as usual.

Regarding the rise in prices of BRARUDI products, cement and sugar, the Minister replied that we must take the example of MURAMVYA province because the administration takes the lead so that prices remain standard, he called on other provinces to get involved in order to banish this behaviour.

To the question of the rise in transportation prices from one place to another within the country, the Minister justified that he will collaborate with his counterpart having transport in his attributions to find a favourable outcome to this question.

In relation to the lamentations of the population saying that the sugar is ill distributed and that it is insufficient to satisfy the population, the Minister informed senators that the consumers of sugar have increased in number compared to previous years. He also added that the police are not informed during the distribution and he called on the administration should be vigilant.

With regard to motorcades of high authorities which cause road accidents, the Minister did indeed point out that no one is supposed to ignore the law, everyone must comply with the rules of the Traffic Laws.

Concerning communal accountants who have no experience in computer skills, the Minister confirmed that he has already recommended all the necessary means to ensure the development of communes, it would even be necessary to organize training for them in that field.

After discussing the oral question, the Honourable senators addressed the third point concerning the draft programme of activities for the period running from May 19 to 27, 2022, which reads as follows:

• Wednesday, May 18, 2022 at 09:00 a.m., a plenary session is scheduled for the approval of appointments and an oral question with debate addressed to the Minister of the Home Affairs, Community Development and Public Security;

• The days of Thursday, Friday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Monday respectively May 19, 20, 23, 24, 25, 27 and 30, 2022, the Honourable senators will work in their respective committees;

• Thursday May 26, 2022 is Ascension Day;

• Tuesday, May 31, 2022, there will be a plenary session for the analysis and adoption of the settlement bill and budget report for the 2020-2021 financial year.

On the same day, there will also be a meeting of the Bureau at 12:00. followed by that of the extended Bureau at 12:30 as well as a plenary session relating to the analysis and adoption of the calendar of activities for the period from 01 to June 07, 2022 at 1:00 p.m.

 At the end of the presentation of the programme of activities for the period from May 19 to 31, 2022, the Honourable senators unanimously adopted it.

In terms of miscellaneous issues, the Honourable senators discussed the procedure they will use to intervene during an oral question and all the participants in this session agreed that the questions will be reviewed in advance and directed towards a key sector of the ministry and finally discussed by the same participants.

After these exchanges, which took place in an atmosphere of perfect harmony, the session was closed at 2:15 p.m. with prayer.