The city of Kigali yesterday launched construction works on four new suburban roads.

The new roads are the Nyandungu-Masoro; Kibagabaga-Kinyinya; and Niboye-Kabeza and the Kacyiru (minagri)-Nyarutarama roads, all adding up to 10 kilometres.

Horizon Construction Company will construct the 5.8-kilometre Kinyinya-Kibagabaga road at Rwf3 billion over nine months. 

NPD Cotraco will work on the 4.5-kilometre  Minagri-Nyarutarama, Nyandungu-Masoro and Niboye-Kabeza road, at Rwf2.6 billion.

Speaking from Masoro, Ndera, City mayor Fidele Ndayisaba assured residents that his office will ensure work is completed in time and efficiently.

Residents upbeat

Claudine Ingabire, who has lived in the area for the past seven years, told Saturday Times that the tarmac road will mean no more mud and dust. 

"At least, we will have fresh air around and our walls will not be as dirty as they look now. Our movements will also be made more comfortable as today, taxis shun the area,” she said.

Francois d’Assise Ahishakiye, a first year marketing student at the nearby Adventist University of Central Africa, said a tarmac road will solve transport challenges faced by students who are compelled to walk a 1-kilometre stretch from the campus to the Kabuga-Remera highway to catch a bus.

Ahishakiye said: "Traders will also benefit as this road opens up the area to more business. There is a big student population here, not to forget the other residents. The area is going to be robust.”

The erstwhile pot-holed and dusty 1.8-kilometre Kibagabaga-Dechwelle Gateside road, once tarmacked, is also set to open up this part of the city. 

The area has been experiencing a real estate boom, including a sprawling Rwanda Social Security Board estate.

Eng. Robert Mpagazehe, from Niboye-Kabeza section, said apart from the rising value of property, the new road will make life easier for people commuting from Niboye to Remera, Kabeza, Rubirizi and Kimironko. 

Currently, one is compelled to go through a winding and costly Niboye-Sonatubes Remera route to access these areas.