The Ministry of Infrastructure has finalized plans to establish modern road signs on all roads in the country in a bid to ensure road safety.

According to a statement released by the Ministry, a British firm Buro Happold Ltd has been awarded the contract to establish the design and specifications of the road signs and will start its work before the end of this year.

‘The Ministry understands that improving, managing and integrating Rwanda’s transport network are pivotal actions to release the economic potential of the country,” a statement from the Minister of Infrastucture, Linda Bihire, reads in part.

In the statement, the Minister said improving the transport network is important in assisting the transition of the Rwandan society and the economy at large from an agrarian society to a regional service hub as the Vision 2020 indicates.

"Roads facilitate the movement of goods to markets and make services such as health and education within the reach of all,” she said.

Among other things, the British consultancy firm will also conduct a survey on the existing signs and come up with a new plan and cost of the new signs throughout the country.

According to the Ministry of Infrastructure, Rwanda’s fast paced growth towards urbanization can only be supported by well developed infrastructure and it is a key strategy to promote private sector development as well as improving communication throughout the country.

Speaking to The Sunday Times later, Bihire said that the new road signs will help in achieving a high degree of visibility and navigability on the road, which is vital in maximizing the road networks potential to underpin the wider social and economic growth Rwanda is currently experiencing.

"Its hard to drive on our roads as you can see. There are no road signs, even those in place are in wrong places. Some are in roundabouts,” Bihire said, citing Kiyovu, where some streets are ‘One Way’ but there are not signs to indicating it.

The new development expected to be completed early next year comes after public concern on traffic irregularities because of lack of proper road signs.

According to the Ministry, once the project is completed, it will provide the country with standardized signage framework that suites local needs and will also improve the image and user friendliness of Rwandan roads.

"This is not only aimed at improving communication and awareness on our roads, but it is also part of the National Road Safety programme aimed at reducing the number of road accidents and also cut on the unnecessary traffic police on our roads,” concluded Bihire.

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