Rwanda : Belgian government launches water projects in the south

Official inauguration of the construction and rehabilitation works of Safe Drinking Water extension networks in Gisagara and Nyaruguru Districts has been put in place

The launching was on Thursday, 29 March 2012, by the Deputy Director General in Charge of Water and Sanitation in Electricity, Water and Sanitation (EWSA), James C. SANO, with the First Secretary of the Embassy of Belgium in Rwanda, Mr. Michael Wimmer.

The inauguration ceremony will place this Thursday, 29 March 2012 at Kansi, Gisagara District.

The safe drinking water networks stretch over to 183.9 km across the two districts and will supply safe drinking water to more than 67,000 people and to schools, churches and local administration offices. Water points are installed within 500 to 1000 m from homesteads.

This is expected to increase accessibility to safe drinking water within the vicinities of homesteads has social and economic impact on families in these areas. Family members, particularly women, will spend less time looking for water to concentrate on more productive activities.

The construction and rehabilitation of safe drinking water networks in Gisagara and Nyaruguru districts are coordinated through a comprehensive support programme for Water and sanitation services extension in the Southern Province (PEPAPS) co-funded by the Government of Rwanda, the Government of Belgium and the European Union at the cost of more than Rwf19 billion which is more than €23.5 million.

This programme carries considerable benefits in terms of health and social-economic conditions for the local population. I’m proud of the partnership we have built and the results we are achieving every day in this area”, commented Michael Wimmer, First Secretary of the Embassy of Belgium in Rwanda.

This launch apparently comes at a time when Rwanda, on March 22, 2012 launched a new water policy, in which one of the recommendations by stakeholders was to increase the amount of clean water and preserve water resources in Rwanda.