The Water and Sanitation Corporation (Wasac) has launched a drive to improve service delivery.

The 90-day campaign, dubbed "Performance Improvement Programme” (PIP), was launched in Kigali yesterday.

Speaking during the launch, James Musoni, the minister for infrastructure, urged the water utility to embrace excellence.

"We want WASAC to embrace the culture of excellence. People need excellent services, they need efficiency and satisfaction. You have to satisfy Rwandans and we will offer to you our support, but we will also be around to hold you accountable,” Musoni said.

PIP intends to hold WASAC staff accountable by signing performance contracts, by which the poor performers will face penalties while the best will receive incentives.

Musoni urged WASAC on better distribution of the available water while the government works to increase water production to satisfy the country’s demand at 100 per cent by 2018 from the current 75 per cent.

"The government has changed strategy through the public-private partnership (PPP) Programme to include private sector in production. Kanzenze project which is to generate 40,000 m3 per day is privately owned but owners will be selling water to the government.

Mutobo project will generate 120,000 m3 per day,” he said.

Musoni added that Rwf35 billion budget for water production in this fiscal year has tripled compared to the 2014/15 financial year.

James Sano, the chief executive of WASAC, said PIP is centred on key performance indicators, including attitude and operations, all intended to deliver better and quicker services.

"We have trained our employees, so we want their commitment and ownership. We have identified the best ways to collect money from our customers and this will reduce WASAC losses from 38 per cent of the water supplied to 34 per cent,” Sano said.

He added that Nzove Water Treatment Plant is being extended to double its current production of 25,000m3 per day and it is to be completed by December, this year.

"The current national water production of 130,000m3 per day is insufficient as 65,000m3 is distributed in Kigali city, while the city needs at least 110,000m3 per day. However, the projects of Kanzenze and Nzove will soothe the city residents as they increase the supply to 130,000m3 in the City of Kigali,” Sano said.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw