Gitoki - Gatsibo, 20 April 2012

President Kagame today told residents of Gatsibo District, Eastern Province, that Rwandans should not look up to others for assistance, and if they have to, it should only be to help build a firm foundation for them to stand on their own in future. President Kagame was speaking to thousands of citizens gathered at Gakiri Primary School grounds in Gitoki sector, following a visit to Augustin Rukondo, one of the most successful farmers in the District and Ndatemwa rice processing factory which has processing capacity of 2.5 tonnes per hour.

President Kagame said that with the right mentality, anyone can achieve whatever they dream of. He encouraged Gatsibo residents to work in cooperatives because when people pool their efforts together, they are destined to achieve far much more than they would achieve working as individuals. President Kagame pointed out that the progress seen everywhere in the Eastern province is evidence that a lot more can be achieved if people put their minds to it.

President Kagame pointed out that as President of the country, his work is to provide guidance and tools enabling people to pursue their aspirations and that it was up to the people to utilize the guidance and the tools to seek prosperity. He said that the Government alone cannot entirely provide what people need, hence the need for partnership with the private sector.

Ndatemwa Rice Factory which has been in the hands of the Government is being privatized where 40% shares have been reserved for 5715 local farmers working in cooperatives. The Factory now has processing capacity of 2.5 tonnes per hour and will principally serve Kanyanyomba and Rwagitima-Ntende rice fields.