On December 11, partners in the Northern Corridor Integration Projects (NCIP) met for the fifth time this year in Nairobi, Kenya, during which they discussed the progress of several projects that have been initiated since June 2013, when the partnership was formed as a tripartite arrangement between Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya. The New Times’ Kenneth Agutamba spoke to Monique Mukaruliza, the national coordinator of the NCIP in the President’s office. Below are the excerpts;-

As the national coordinator of the Northern Corridor Integration Projects, how would you describe 2014?

The Northern Corridor Integration Projects involve four countries; Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya and South Sudan. Tanzania and Burundi come in as observers. The partnership with Uganda, Kenya and South Sudan during 2014 has been very good since a number of projects started being implemented and more commitments have been made to actualise others.

What role have these regular summits played in strengthening the partnership?

The Summits of Heads of State have happened five times during 2014 (February 20, May 2, July 3, October 8 and December 11). Each Summit was preceded by a ministerial session and a senior officials’ technical meeting. The summit meetings have served as mechanism of accountability by ministers on the implementation of the directives received on fast tracking the implementation of the agreed projects.

Critics still prefer describing the partnership as the "Coalition of the Willing,” involving Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda, does this make you uncomfortable?

The tag is not backed by the facts on ground. It was a tripartite when Heads of State of Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya met for the first time in Entebbe on June 25, 2013. But the projects have since been joined by South Sudan (during the Mombasa meeting on August 28, 2013), and the initiative changed to Northern Corridor Integration during the Kigali Summit of October 28, 2013.

If the Northern Corridor Projects succeed, how will it help the general integration process given that two of the EAC partner states are not taking a central role in them?

The success of Northern Corridor Integration Projects will serve the whole East African Region. The availability of infrastructure (railway, electricity, oil pipeline, ICT, among others) will boost trade among EAC partner states regardless of their being member of the Corridor or not as the five countries operate on the same EAC Common Market Protocol.

Adequate infrastructure will reduce the cost of doing business in the region and will be used by the five partner states depending on where you need to move to (for both goods and persons).

Most of the projects are long-term and require heavy investments, which is lacking. How do you intend to raise money to fund these projects?

Partner states have agreed to jointly source funding for the infrastructure projects. In partnership with African Development Bank. Under the Africa50, preparation and packaging of bankable projects is ongoing for infrastructure projects.

 Africa50 has submitted a detailed business plan for the standard gauge railway project which indicates that it is a viable project. Partner states are now ready to approach any funder for the railway project. So far, China has shown willingness to fund the SGR project but also other potential funders will be approached.

You closed 2014 with a summit in Nairobi where you concluded a 30-megawatt power deal with Kenya, what exactly does this mean to Rwandans?

It’s true Rwanda concluded a power deal of 30MW with Kenya and a wheeling agreement with Uganda, which means a lot to our country because increased energy supply will ensure that investors get electricity at a lower cost, hence easing doing business. In addition to easing cost of industrial energy, increased supply of electricity will help realise government’s efforts to connect more Rwandans to the national grid.

Do we have the infrastructure in place to actually transmit electricity from Kenya to Kigali?

The current infrastructure is being upgraded to start power trade between our countries in the second semester of 2015. The line will originate from Lessos in Kenya to Tororo – Bujagali – Kawanda –Masaka – Mbarara - Mirama Hills in Uganda terminating at Shango in Rwanda.

How about the 400MW from Ethiopia, what should we expect in 2015 regarding this prospect?

This is an upcoming project, among others, such as the 50MW to be imported by December 2016; 150MW by March 2017 and above 150MW by June 2018 when the power transmission line is expected to have been standardised at 400KV on all sections from Kenya to Rwanda. The government will continue to accelerate the implementation of power generation projects and improve the distribution systems.

Many of these projects are long term in nature whose actualisation could span a decade…

True, some projects are big and require a big sum of investment and, also, implementation requires some time, especially infrastructure projects. Nevertheless, the spirit behind Northern Corridor Integration is to fast-track all projects. Therefore, as long as there is commitment and goodwill, all projects will be implemented in reasonable timeline.

The fast progress of these projects is mainly thanks to political will of the current leaders, but can it (goodwill) survive a possible change of political environment in any of the partner states?

Possible change of political environment in any of the partner states will not affect the implementation of these projects since countries have already committed themselves. And, after all, it is for the good of the people and the economic development of the partner states.

During the Summit in Nairobi, what did the partners pledge to focus on in 2015?

Key areas of focus in 2015 will be infrastructure projects (railway, power transmission and interconnection, oil pipeline) and ICT projects. The emphasis will be put on raising funds to implement them.  Also, other projects like free movement of labour and services and single customs territory will be improved to ensure workers, self-employed persons and goods move freely in the partner states and people from the region are enjoying their benefits.

What has been the main challenge in 2014; did you discuss possible solutions moving into 2015?

The main challenge has been delays in completion of feasibility studies for infrastructure projects, hence delays in sourcing projects funds. In 2015, most of the studies will be concluded and pave way for resource mobilisation for implementation.