The creation of Nyandungu Ecotourism Park on 130 hectares will not be completed this year (2020) as had earlier been scheduled. 

Funded by Rwanda Green Fund (FONERWA), the project was designed in 2015 and works started in 2016  and the plan was to  complete the two-phased project within five years.

The first phase, scheduled to run from 2016 to 2018, involved the restoration of the biodiversity and construction works.

The second phase that was to kick off from 2019 to 2020, was to focus on the long-term management of the park, connecting the sectors of Nyarugunga of Kicukiro District and Ndera of Gasabo District.

The third quarter of 2020 is halfway, and there is little information on how far the works have gone for even phase 1 that was supposed to be completed two years ago. 

To follow up on the progress on the ground, The New Times visited the location of the multi-billion project. 

Workers constructing some of the facilities in Nyandungu Eco-tourism Park. The park which is supposed to sit on 130 hectares but won’t be completed this year as had been planned after several related activities stalled. Dan Nsengiyumva.

There was low activity and the local security guards chased The New Times crew, blocking the filming of the progress and works done.

However, from a distance, one could visibly see women watering plants as well as what appears to be paved pedestrian walkways and cycling routes. 

The ornamental ponds that had been planned were no longer visible while those that were created a few years ago are now full of bushes looking like a stagnant water source from which two women were fetching water for watering the plants.

According to the initial planning, the park was to have a network of paths, roads, boardwalks and bridges in marshy areas, public toilets, nature viewing areas, bird hides, trails, kiosks and picnic areas among other facilities that a modern park would have. There was hardly any evidence of most of these works.

The long-term plan was to have beautiful, well-manicured gardens that can be hired for wedding photographs and eating venues including restaurants.

The highly anticipated visitor’s center that was to educate guests on the role of wetlands in the conservation and the ecosystem service is also not yet completed.

What happened?

The New Times has learned that one of the main contractors was sacked after failing to deliver as agreed and it is alleged that they lacked the expertise in landscaping which led to the stalling of the project.

At the beginning of 2019, a new company Afrilandscapes took over but so far there is nothing tangible to show. And, when contacted, the company officials said they can only speak to the media after getting authorization from REMA, which has allegedly warned them against speaking to journalists about the project.

At the time of changing the contractor, the budget had been increased from the initial Rwf2.4 billion to Rwf5.04 billion. Among the reasons for the increase was that the project required redesigning.

The changes also included the man-made lakes that changed to be able to synchronise with a river that crosses through the proposed park but this is yet to be completed.

They also included redesigning and relocating the proposed amphitheater for hosting events.  This is also yet to be visibly set up.

The park will also have a historical tourist site showing where Pope John Paul II visited and preached.

In March 2020, according to information on REMA’s twitter handle, they validated the revised design and bill of quantities of the Nyandungu Wetland Eco-Tourism Park project.

When contacted, both REMA and the contractor declined to give updates and details.

Works at only 33 per cent in five years

Dr. Jean D’arc Mujamariya, the Minister for Environment told Members of Parliament in July that the contractors kept changing because they could not deliver. 

"Nyandungu ecotourism project and recreational park stalled. This is because the implementing contractors have been changing because we were trying to look for experts in landscaping and are able to deliver on the project targets,” she said when quizzed by Parliament. 

The Minister further added: "It stalled due to redesigning the project and changing the implementing firms. Also, heavy rains disrupted the activities.” 

The Minister revealed to Parliament that the works to construct Nyandungu Eco-tourism park are at only 33 per cent despite having started in 2016.

However, Marie Solange Muhirwa, the Chief of Urban Planning in Kigali city told the public broadcaster RBA which did a story in June on the progress of the Nyandungu ecotourism park that the works were at about 23 percent and might be completed in September 2021. 

More details on how the previous contractors were hired, the due diligence that was carried out before issuing the contracts, and approval process of the designs and redesigns could either be given the City of Kigali officials or the environment authority - REMA. The City of Kigali referred The New Times to REMA and the Environment Authority declined to provide information on this story. 

According to the latest Auditor General’s report, in the 2019 financial year, there were 22 cases of stalled projects. The report puts the cost of the projects at a whooping Rwf115.3 billion and according to the Auditor General, the projects stalled because of inadequate contract management.

The City of Kigali has set aside 6 per cent of its land for recreational spaces under the new Masterplan.