An ongoing World Bank-funded project meant to provide better roads, street lighting and drainage systems is enhancing business and tourism, among others, in the City of Musanze, Jeannine Nuwumuremyi, the Mayor of Musanze District, has noted.

Tucked away in the foothills of the Virunga Massif, the City of Musanze, one of Rwanda’s six secondary cities, is a convenient base for gorilla tracking. On Wednesday, June 9, when The New Times toured, it was rarely hot and bustling with activity.

In different parts of the city, contractors and casual workers were busy wrapping up phase two of the Rwanda Urban Development Project (RUDP).

Nuwumuremyi said: "We are in a fast-growing city. And a good road, in a sense, is life; it facilitates trade and transport and brings development in general. New drainage systems helped in environmental conservation too and we also have cleaner neighbourhoods."

"Business is being boosted as many shops have come up everywhere roads are constructed. And then, this is a tourist District, and this project is easing travel for visitors to our city. It is gradually opening up our city for tourists; visitors don't visit our district only to see gorillas."

One of different bridges constructed during that project.

The project aims to provide an integrated package of support to address key challenges associated with Rwanda’s urbanization: access to basic infrastructure to promote livability and local economic development; upgrading unplanned areas to promote inclusive urbanization; and supporting Districts to engage with the private sector and enable economic development.

The WB injected $95 million and the government of Rwanda contributed $5 million in the project; for all the six secondary cities and parts of the City of Kigali.

"Our plan is that when a tourist comes and intends to stay just one day, he or she should be compelled to stay longer. Even urban housing is tourism. Our city neighbourhoods are now better accessible due to the roads," the Mayor said.

When The New Times last visited in 2018 during phase one of the project - July 2016 to November 2018 - up to 4.6 kilometres of new asphalt roads and a kilometre of better drainage were being constructed. This resulted in job creation especially for casual workers during construction works, new businesses developed, and environment protection as the drainage system enhanced the protection of the banks of River Rwebeya.

The new roads also eased travel for residents especially by creating shortcuts and the street lighting increased business working hours.

The ongoing construction activities of new roads in Musanze has changed the image of one of second cities.

Emmanuel Bajeni Mpumpuro, an elderly former lawmaker, who resides near a standalone drainage system and new road constructed in the city's Byimana village, in Ruhengeri cell, said people in his area are "ever thankful to the government, and President Paul Kagame" for the development coming to their area.

Mpumpuro added: "In the past, this place was very insecure during the evenings. Worse still, the big gully here would overflow during floods but now, just look around; people move easily and the place is clean."

Eng. Lucien Nziyumvira, the city's roads engineer, explained that during the ongoing phase two - December 2018 to June 2021 - components include 6.4 kilometres of new asphalt roads including the 1.082 kilometre stretch at the Tête Gauche area of the city and 1,618 meters of drainage.

Up to Rwf5.6 billion was earmarked for the second phase of construction of roads and drainage.

By Wednesday, overall progress was put at 94.2 percent; with asphalt layer laid on 4.21 kilometres, street light poles fixed, cabling and lamps done on 4.8 kilometres, among others. Ongoing works included installation of transformers.

Claudine Dusengimana, a mother of two, was among a group of casual labourers using hoes and spades in a drainage system being constructed at the Tête Gauche neighbourhood. She told The New Times that with the Rwf1,500 daily pay, which they get every two weeks, she cannot complain much "because this is better than begging on the streets."

She said: "I've been working for a month now and can get money to take some food home. It is not easy for me but, at least, it is a job.

Water drainage in Musanze District meant to reduce floodings.

At Giramahoro village, in the Muhoza sector of the city, Anastase Nzabonimpa, 52, owns a building with a restaurant and runs the shop next door.

"With the new roads we hope it will boost our city's tourism potential but the real face of our tourism opportunities is not yet really highlighted…not until all roads in all sectors are constructed and done well," he said.

Antoinette Mukampirwa, who runs a small restaurant nearby, came to work and live in the area nine months earlier when the road running past her business was under construction.

Musanze is a good place, with a good climate, she said, noting that once "movement is eased, the city's tourism potential will increase."

Mukampirwa added: "There was so much dust here but now, it's no more and this is good for us in many ways. When I go to buy vegetables I don't worry about them getting spoiled on my way back. We have more customers than before when the road was bad."