The population of Cankuzo called to buckle down to development activities and keep an eye on peace and security

During the July recess, the Rt. Honourable Emmanuel Sinzohagera, the Senate Speaker, paid a visit to Cankuzo province where he held two meetings, on July 8 and 9, 2021, for the heads of provincial services and local communal representatives of this locality.

The first meeting took place at the chief town of the province where he met with those of Cankuzo, Kigamba and Cendajuru communes, and the second one, at Mishiha commune, with those of Mishiha and Gisagara communes.

During these meetings, discussions focused on social, economic, political and security issues.

In his message, the Right Honourable Sinzohagera urged these local representatives and heads of services to go and inform the population that every citizen is called to keep an eye on peace and security, the basis for sustainable development. Thus, urged the population of Cankuzo, especially the youth, to work for self-development.

He also asked the participants in these meetings to work closely with the population to fight against polygamy, the consumption of illegal drinks and drugs as well as bush fires and fraud.

The Speaker of the Upper Chamber of the Parliament also urged them to protect the environment, continue to fight against poverty, not to waste the harvest, to be concerned about the galloping demography by controlling births, to protect public property, and to avoid planting eucalyptus trees near water sources because they can contribute to the drying up of the latter.

In addition, the Right Honourable Sinzohagera asked them to continue to sensitize the population on the respect of protection measures against Covid-19, and on the implementation, in October of this year, of the law on the permanent keeping of domestic animals in sheds.

Concerning the series of conferences organized by the Senate on the 1972 events in Burundi, he told them that the main objective of these conferences was to seek he truth about the massacres that were perpetrated during that time in order to reconcile Burundians. Thus, he launched a vibrant appeal to Burundians to break with globalization. It is not ethnicity that kills, it is a bad governance that kills,” he said.

He also asked them to invite the witnesses of these massacres to present their testimonies to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), so that the latter can collect enough reliable information on them and compile a list of the victims of these massacres, so that a monument can be built in their memory.

Responding to the various concerns of the participants, the Senate Speaker reassured them that the Government has already planned the rehabilitation of the road linking Mishiha and the United Republic of Tanzania as well as the one linking Cankuzo, Ruyigi and Rutana provinces.

The meeting was also attended by parliamentarians elected in this constituency, the governor of the province, representatives of actors and defense and security forces working in this area.

Besides the meeting held on July 09, he visited a hospital in Mishiha, which is under construction.