EASTERN PROVINCE

NGOMA — The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in conjunction with the government of Rwanda plans to spend Rwf51,975,000 on biogas plants in the Eastern Province.

Francis Bushayija, the area LWF coordinator, disclosed this on Wednesday during a one -day sensitisation and training workshop for beneficiaries in Rukira Sector, Ngoma District.

The project will be set up in Murama and Rukira sectors where LWF operates from. With 40 families using biogas, Rukira is said to be among the rural areas where most people use biogas in the country.

The four-month project is slated to begin next month. At least 100 vulnerable residents selected from six districts of the province, excluding Rwamagana, will benefit from the project. Twenty of them were selected from Ngoma alone.

LWF has allocated Rwf31, 975,000 (52%) towards the project, some Rwf3, 197, 500 of which will be given to each of the beneficiaries, while the government has provided Rwf20m, of which each beneficiary will get Rwf200,000.

Each beneficiary is required to contribute Rwf102,000 (16%) as top up.

Bushayija urged residents to own the project and ensure proper handling. Calling on beneficiaries to share the benefits, Bushayija said biogas was necessary in order to protect the environment.

According to statistics, 57% of the country’s population use firewood to cook while 23% use charcoal 14% use electricity and paraffin, while 6% are neutral.

Elvine Binamungu, from the Netherlands Development Association (SNV), urged the beneficiaries to apply the fertilisers they will get from biogas in their gardens so as to increase food production.

According to Binamungu, residents need to add 60 kilograms of cow wastes and 60 litres of either water or cow urine to make long-lasting biogas plants.

It emerged that SNV has also committed itself to help 15,000 families in the country get biogas by 2011.

The NGO also helps bee keepers, coffee farmers and the tourism sector.

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