Kagame consoles Musanze residents after fire damages GOICO Plaza

President Paul Kagame sent a message of comfort to residents of Musanze District following abfire that broke out at GOICO Plaza on Saturday, October 10, destroying most of the goods, Governor of Northern Province said.

“We have received a message of comfort and strength from His Excellency, the President of the Republic. We are thankful to the President for consoling residents of Northern Province,” Governor Maurice Mugabowagahunde told national broadcaster RBA on Monday morning.

“The core of the message is that he asked us to not be discouraged and to remember that GOICO was achieved through cooperation and collaboration… and that even more will be achieved.”

GOICO is the largest market building in Northern Province. More than 2,000 traders worked from there. The fire that broke out on Saturday evening affected most of the building, from the rooftop to the first flour. The ground floor had minimal damage, according to officials.

Rwanda National Police Fire and Rescue Brigade, Rwanda Defence Force and local residents joined efforts to bring the fire under control. It was extinguished on Sunday morning.

The cause of the fire has yet to be confirmed. No lives were lost in the fire. Two people sustained minor injuries and 15 were affected psychologically and, according to district officials, most of them were discharged from hospital on Sunday.

Mugabowagahunde said on Sunday that a preliminary assessment estimated that goods worth Rwf30 billion perished in the fire. He added that the commercial building itself is valued at Rwf17 billion.

“As local government, our task is to listen to the traders, do an assessment and understand each trader’s needs, both those who had a big capital and those with a smaller capital, those whose business was insured and those that did not have insurance,” the governor said.

The government consoled residents and traders affected by the incident. In a statement on Sunday, the Ministry of Local Government said the government would provide support in the repair of the building.