The City of Kigali has announced that it will demolish up to 28 substandard houses in a housing estate commonly known as Kwa Dubai, in Kinyinya Sector of Gasabo District and that “the investor has to compensate the victims of the shoddy work.” The New Times reports
The Kinyinya-based estate owned by businessman Jean Nsabimana, alias Dubai, attracted a lot of negative public attention in 2023 when one of the reportedly poorly constructed houses collapsed.
A court on February 16 ruled to re-open the hearing in the case involving Nsabimana, commonly known as ‘Dubai’, alongside co-defendants Stephen Rwamurangwa, Chretien Raymond Mberabahizi, Jeanne d’Arc Nyirabihogo, and Nkulikiyimfura Theopiste.
A report by Rwanda Housing Authority (RHA) indicated that building structures were not firm as per the concrete compressive strength tests done. For example, the strength of the houses’ columns and slabs were found to be below the minimum standard that is recommended.
Engineers also noted that there was poor drainage at the estate. Poor plumbing, unsafe electrical installations, AND poor sewerage systems were also a problem. In addition to this, there was also poor quality of construction materials. The bricks were being washed away by the rain as cracks appeared in the walls of the houses.
As part of an ongoing campaign to crack down on shoddy construction work, and pulling down illegally constructed houses, the City of Kigali said 28 substandard houses have to be demolished given that they became a haven for robbers after the relocation of landowners.
“While 28 houses will be demolished in Kwa Dubai estate in Kinyinya sector as they are substandard, 12 houses, and two houses, will also be destroyed in Jabana and Gatsata sectors, respectively, because they were illegally constructed and could even endanger dwellers’ lives. The operation continues in other sectors,” said the City of Kigali Mayor, Samuel Dusengiyumva.
He said the government will facilitate victims to sue the investor.
According to inspections carried out, he added, other houses to be destroyed in other sectors were illegally built while others were constructed on arable land.
“Others were constructed contrary to what is on the construction permits. Local leaders who did not stop the illegal construction will also be punished accordingly,” he said.
