The Government has called for increased private investments in the water sector, to ensure all Rwandans get clean water and more regularly.

This call was made by the Minister of Natural Resources, Dr Vincent Biruta, on Tuesday, as Rwanda joined the global community to celebrate World Water Day.

With a focus on "Water and jobs”, as the international theme, Biruta said that this year’s World Water Day provides an opportune moment to raise awareness about the importance of water for sustainable development and job creation and highlight how water and jobs can jointly transform people’s lives.

World Water Day is celebrated annually on 22 March.

The day was marked through an exhibition and conference, held at the University of Rwanda’s College of Science and Technology.

It was organised by the ministry of natural resources, Water for Growth-Rwanda, Rwanda Natural Resources Authority, among other partners.

The conference brought together academics, policy makers and implementers to discuss water monitoring and management and how to boost investment in the water sector and encourage job creation.

"There are enormous investment opportunities in the water sector,” Biruta said, adding that, "It is an area where the private sector can invest and both business and the community benefit.”

The minister noted that Rwanda is under-utilising its water resources and the private sector has an important role in creating jobs and contributing to the country’s green growth ambitions, through initiatives like water harvesting.

As part of the celebrations, a Water Week has been organised during which the country will launch an Integrated Water Resource Management Programme financed by the Dutch government of the Netherlands and inaugurate a water treatment plant, both in Muhanga District.

Across the country, communities will join hands to plant trees to protect rivers and catchment areas.

According to statistics from the ministry, Rwanda currently has water availability per capita of 670m3 per annum, which is below the international standard level of 1,000m3 per annum.

While the country is endowed with significant water resources, these are currently under utilised and much water is lost in different ways, Biruta told reporters.

"Today, Rwanda is working to develop its water resources for irrigation, domestic water supply, industry and to preserve our valuable ecosystems. And these are the areas where the private sector can come in to boost water access in Rwanda,” he said.

This year’s World Water Day theme highlights the role of freshwater in improving people’s lives and the economic development of communities and nations.

In 1993, the United Nations General Assembly designating 22 March 1993 as the first World Water Day, and this year’s specific aspect aims at raising awareness about how enough quantity and quality of water can change workers' lives and livelihoods - and even transform societies and economies.