Nyagatare, 6 July 2012

Today, President Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame visited the people of Nyagatare District. Home to over 400 thousand Rwandans, Nyagatare has distinguished itself for its ability to achieve food security, for being first in construction of 12 year basic education and lately for the largest granite industry in the East African region. Visiting the East African Granite Industries, President Kagame pointed to its success as an example of what Rwandans can achieve when they invest in their own resources. With one thousand Rwandans employ and projects providing infrastructure and electricity to the people of Nyagatare, the East African Granite Industries is committed to making profit while benefiting the community.

Following the visit of the factory, President Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame visited members of the Kirimburi Farmer Cooperative. With a projected 510 million RWF to be generated from1500 tons of maize in 2012, the cooperative has allowed its four hundred members to increase their revenues and improve their lives.

The last stop of President Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame was a meeting with community leaders of the Nyagatare District. Hearing the district’s accomplishment which include the eradication of thatched roofed homes, the success of SACCO community banks and the 1billion RWF revenue from modern agriculture, President Kagame told community leaders that these accomplishments are possible because Rwandans have chosen to achieve development.

“We know what is possible, it is up to us leaders to create the kind of transformation that will ensure equal opportunity for all and self reliance for every Rwandan ,” President Kagame said. “When we know what is possible, we make it happen…that is the ideology of the RPF,” he added.

President Kagame ended by thanking the community leaders for their hard work and reminding them that ”it is up to leaders to “look at how far we have come and draw strength from our accomplishments.”