President Paul Kagame sent a message of support to traders who lost property in the GOICO market fire, encouraging them not to lose hope, according to Northern Province Governor Maurice Mugabowagahunde.
Mugabowagahunde shared the President’s message during an interview with the Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA), explaining that Kagame encouraged the affected traders to remain united as they worked to recover from their losses.
The message followed a major fire that broke out at GOICO Plaza in Musanze District on Saturday, October 10, destroying merchandise and disrupting businesses operating in the market.
“The President’s message was one of support. It was conveyed to us, and we thank the Head of State for standing with the people of Northern Province,” Mugabowagahunde said.
The governor explained that Kagame’s central message was for traders not to lose hope and to remember that GOICO had been established through cooperation and collective effort.
He said the President encouraged them to maintain the same spirit of unity that had contributed to the market’s establishment as they worked to rebuild their businesses.
Mugabowagahunde also assured affected traders that local authorities were prepared to listen to their concerns and identify the assistance each would require to resume operations.
He explained that the process would consider traders with different levels of business capital, including those with insurance coverage, those without insurance and those with outstanding loans.
According to the governor, understanding each trader’s circumstances would help authorities determine what support or intervention was needed and respond within a reasonable period.
Meanwhile, local authorities have identified 635 commercial spaces in other buildings in Musanze to help some of the affected traders resume their businesses.
The governor said efforts were continuing to find alternative premises for traders who were ready to restart their activities while longer-term solutions were being considered.
The government has also committed to working with relevant stakeholders to repair the damaged market and facilitate the resumption of business activities.
RADIOTV10