Rulindo District is targeting to have universal access to safe water by 2018, officials have said.

The safe water will be provided through a project dubbed Rulindo Challenge, a joint initiative between the district and its development partners.

Justus Kangwagye, the district mayor, in an interview this week, said they are working ahead of the 50-year national deadline for universal water coverage.

"Currently, over 72 per cent of the population has access to safe water. We are convinced that we will meet our target before the deadline as we are soon constructing another water supply line to serve Masoro Sector. Construction works will start next month,” he said.

Rulindo Challenge programme is funded by Rulindo District, the Ministry of Infrastructure through Water and Sanitation Corporation (WASAC) and Water for People, an NGO.

The project aims to bring safe drinking water and sanitation services to district residents through the ‘everyone forever’ approach.

For every project in line with the Rulindo Challenge programme, the Government contributes 45 percent of the total cost, while Water for People contributes 55 per cent in addition to covering the costs for the software project component.

Meanwhile, residents of Masoro Sector have decried the water shortage in the area.

Théopiste Musabyemariya, an area resident, said some children miss school as they have to fetch water from a distant water source, Butagata stream, which is about two kilometres away.

"When a child goes to fetch water from there, you cannot expect him/her to go to school since those who go there at 5am come back at noon due to a long queue, besides the long distance,” she said.

Dative Habimana, another area resident, said a lot of time that would be spent on constructive work is wasted looking for water.

Habimana, a casual labourer, appealed for installation of tanks in the area to facilitate rain water harvesting.

Eugene Barahira, the executive secretary of Masoro Sector, acknowledged the water crisis in the area, saying a 20-litre jerrycan of water is sold at Rwf500.

He, however, said the process to find a sustainable solution to address the problem is underway.

"Feasibility studies have been conducted. Some sectors in the district have reliable water supply, but construction of our water supply system is slated for August,” Barahira said.

Last year, over 100,000 people in the district gained access to reliable water services.

The recently inaugurated Nyirambuga water supply line serves 46,000 people from Tumba, Base, Bushoki and Buyoga sectors, while Musenge water source serves 6,000 people in Mbogo sector.

Statistics show that access to safe water across the country currently stands at 74 per cent, while almost three million people nationwide and 748 million globally do not have access to safe drinking water. editorial@newtimes.co.rw