A Positive Impact of Our Alert
Logging activities in the public forest have been suspended. However, a new concern has emerged: the timber planks that had already been cut are reportedly being secretly moved and hidden, raising numerous questions among local residents.
A few days ago, our organization reported the concerns of residents of Kirundo Commune, in Butanyerera Province, regarding the intensive exploitation of the public forest. Citizens feared that the operation was serving private interests at the expense of state-owned resources and called for explanations.
Following our publication, the Chief of Bukuba Zone, Ms. Agnès Nshimirimana, accompanied by the Civil Registry Officer, Mr. Léonard Nzaramba, visited the site and ordered an immediate halt to the logging activities. According to information gathered, this decision was made on the instructions of the Administrator of Kirundo Commune, Engineer Berchmas Ndikuriyo.
However, residents claim that the timber planks already cut were removed during the night and concealed. Witnesses say that part of the wood was temporarily stored at the home of Ms. Venantie Barutwanayo before being loaded and transported, also at night, to an unknown destination.
While the suspension of the logging operations has been welcomed by the local population, many questions remain unanswered. Residents are demanding full transparency regarding the whereabouts of the timber harvested from the public forest. They are calling for the wood to be recovered and returned to public ownership, and for those involved in the illegal exploitation to be held accountable in accordance with the law.
Transparency and the protection of public property remain legitimate demands for the people of Kirundo, who are now awaiting a thorough investigation and clear answers from the relevant authorities.