Residents of Birwa I Island in Lake Burera on Sunday received a motorboat that is expected to address their transport woes. 

The boat, courtesy of the Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF), was built at the tune of Rwf4 million.

The donation comes just months after The New Times published a story on transport difficulties faced by pupils and teachers to and from a school on the Island.

Birwa Island is one of several islands in Lake Burera, Burera District in the Northern Province.

The island is home to over 400 residents and 70 households. It has one primary school and a health post.

Residents used to rely on villagers’ vessels for transport across the lake which rendered their movement difficult.But residents now believe the new boat puts an end to their transport bottlenecks.

"This is a blessing, students used to miss classes whenever it rained while teachers would reach school late and sometimes fail to turn up,” said Jean Felix Ntibazirikana, head teacher of Birwa I Primary School.

Ntibazirikana said he also sometimes failed to go to school whenever there was a heavy storm or when it rained heavily.

"We had challenges transporting our stationery and other materials. But with this modern boat, I am optimistic the quality of education will improve,” he added.

Olive Mukakarera, a farmer, said she escaped drowning with her baby on several occasions due to a delipidated boat which could not resist heavy storms.

"One time while going to our farm outside the Island, I and my baby survived thanks to God’s mercy. Had it not been my swimming skills, we would be dead. This will no longer be the case with a modern boat,” she said.

Other residents also said the boat comes as a relief with some saying it would help boost economic activity on the island by facilitating transportation of goods to markets.

While officially handing over the boat, the RDF Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Patrick Nyamvumba, said: "We learnt about it through the media that pupils and teachers found it difficult to go to the Island school. We decided to offer our contribution through building a modern boat which we hope will help both children and teachers to easily reach their school.”

He added that the boat would also help patients, especially pregnant mothers, reach health facilities in time.

Gen. Nyamvumba urged the beneficiaries to guard the boat jealously and use it to generate money that will be used to buy its fuel and cover maintenance costs.

The boat, with Horse power15 engine, has capacity to carry 40 passengers. Also donated were over 50 life jackets.

The Executive Secretary of Kinoni Sector, Fred Bayingana, said the motorboat will also be used to transport tourists visiting the twin Burera-Ruhondo lakes.

Local leaders, school administrators and area residents will together agree on how to manage the boat, he said.