From September 2018, the Ministry of Environment through Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) is developing a wetland recreational park in Nyandungu, to provide an urban recreational space, restore the hydrological functioning of the wetland and increase biodiversity. 

In the beginning, the project was designed to be completed into two phases, the first phase running from 2016 to 2018 involved the study and the design of the project, while the second phase which kicked off from 2018 to 2020 was to focus on the implementation of construction activities.

The project activities stalled because of redesigning the project and changing the implementing firm that was implementing project activities, as it had no expertise in landscaping.

Among other causes which delayed the project activities include the unexpected heavy rain that caused heavy floods which affected the progress of project activities and the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown and working conditions that were set by the government to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

These challenges affected the project activities and registered an 8 months delay, at the instance that it will not be completed in 2020 as it was planned.

But, consultations between REMA, the contractor and the supervisor of project activities ended up by extending the project for the other six months.

A revised working schedule was agreed upon with the contractor (Afrilandscapes Ltd) with a target of having the project completed by May 2021, and the recreational Park will be ready for utilization, with official launch anticipated in July 2021.

The progress of works and landscaping activities have been progressing well, while tangible progress on infrastructures is expected before the end of the dry season.

Funded by Rwanda Green Fund (FONERWA), Nyandungu Ecotourism Park is being created on 121.89 Ha, and construction activities are ongoing.

The main elements of the urban wetland include recreational water ponds, a forest around the boundaries of the wetland, trimmed lawns, and a medicinal plant garden.

The infrastructure in the recreational park includes pedestrian walkways and bicycle lanes, service road, parking, a restaurant, info centre, and water channels.

The recreation park will be fully connected with WiFi and a robust video surveillance system.

The writer is the Director-General of Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA).

Editor: This article is in reaction to a story published by The New Times on Friday, August 20 under the title: Who is responsible for stalled Rwf5 billion eco-tourism project?

Ponds in the park connect to each other.

Some ponds are covered by lilies that will be filtering water.

Some walkways in the park were completed.

The construction of info center has kicked off.

The excavator is ripping out stones to construct the road which will cross the park.

Trees nursery that will provide indigenous species to be planted in the park.