The city of kigali yesterday launched a Rwf38.7 billion feeder road construction project that will see more city suburban roads paved with cobblestones.

The four-year project will see 105 kilometres of cobblestone roads in the three city districts of Gasabo, Kicukiro and Nyarugenge constructed.

The project, to be implemented in two phases, commenced yesterday, with the first phase expected to cover 70.268 kilometres at a cost of Rwf25.8billion, according to the City officials.

Bruno Rangira, the director of communication and media at City of Kigali, said phase two will cover the construction of 35 kilometres which will be done after the completion of tendering process that is currently underway.

The technical studies have been completed for this phase, according to him.

The construction works started at Kisementi site where a road network covering 3.7 kilometres will be constructed before the works continue to other parts of the city.

While commissioning the project, the Minister for Local Government, James Musoni, said it was in government’s prerogatives to ensure the development of the city infrastructure, saying this was one of the incentives to attract more investments.

"We have to think about long term projects that have positive impact on our communities; we need to take the city to another level of development that’s why we must focus on construction of roads to spur the economic development,” he told City officials.

The minister challenged NPD-Contraco, the firm contracted to execute the project to work expeditiously and ensure quality to help serve better city residents.

Other planned road networks to be covered are in Kibagabaga, Kimironko, Kimihurura and Gisozi, while in Kicukiro District they will cover Kimisange, Kagarama, Niboye, among others.

Nyamirambo Sector will benefit most in Nyarugenge District.

At Kisementi, the beneficiaries welcomed the project saying that much as the main roads are in good shape, there was a problem of roads in neighbourhood, some of them impassable during the rainy season.

"When it rains some of the roads become impassable and you end up using the main road with heavy traffic. I hope now it will save time and fuel that we normally waste in traffic jams on main roads when there are feeder roads connecting neighbourhoods,” Jean Claude Ndagijimana, a motorist, said.

At Kisementi 3.7 kilometres will be constructed starting from opposite Land Star Hotel.

Excited end-user

Solange Uwimana, a vendor in the area, could not hide her joy, saying the road not only affected them during the rains, but also during the dry season, they were inconvenienced by heavy dust.

"Sometimes buyers cannot purchase our products because they are dirty... I could not blame them myself and all this was because of the road, I am sure business will be more profitable,” she said.

City mayor Fidele Ndayisaba told The New Times that several factors were considered when selecting the roads to be covered under the project and that authorities consulted residents.

Among the criteria included roads located in areas where residents have already provided contribution for road construction, areas that have more traffic congestion as well as roads serving new suburbs.

 He said the new cobbled roads have the lifespan of more than 50 years.

"We held consultations and roads were selected depending on the demands of the residents. I am optimistic that these roads will impact not only the beneficiaries but also the country’s economic growth,” he said.

Last year, government and the European Union signed a financing agreement worth Rwf35.3 billion for the rehabilitation and maintenance of 700 kilometres of feeder roads in the rural areas.

The project was aimed at strengthening the rural feeder roads network that would improve the country’s food security by making it easier for food producers to reach their markets.