KIGALI - With a new underground water extraction and treatment plant going operational early this month, several Kigali suburbs will no longer experience water shortages like in the past, Yves Muyange the acting Managing Director of ELECTROGAZ has said.

In an interview with The Sunday Times yesterday, Muyange revealed that the new Nyabarongo plant located at Nzove outside Kigali has already started supplying water to the neighborhoods of Gisozi, Batsinda, Gaculiro estates, Nyarutarama, and Kagunga.

"Areas like Nyarutarama, Gisozi and Gaculiro will have water permanently,” said Muyange.

The plant will also supply water to Kimihurura and Kacyiru in a few days time when they are connected to the new network.

Muyange attributed the past water shortages in Kigali to among other reasons lack of planning in the construction industry.

"Most of the construction happens spontaneously without planning.” He said that it is easier to take water to properly planned neighbourhoods.

He added that most people are constructing on hills, something that requires a lot of pressure to pump water uphill.

Muyange also revealed that the resettlement of people in Kigali has also contributed to the water shortages. After resettlement, small houses are replaced with big houses that require a bigger network, yet such places still have smaller networks.

The Nyabarongo plant will be generating 40,000 cubic meters per day when fully operational according to the head of the water department at ELECTROGAZ, Theoneste Minani.

It started supplying water early this month with 10,000 cubic meters. 

Muyange told Sunday Times that there has been a deficit of 30,000 cubic meters of water in Kigali. He said that there has always been a water deficit even in normal conditions.

He added that at the moment, there is lack of rain water due to the dry season, something that has worsened the water situation in the city.

"lack of rain water increases the demand."
Muyange revealed that they developed a rationing program to alleviate the situation, but this will end once the new Nyabarongo plant is fully operational.

He also revealed that the water body plans to remodel the water network in Kigali so as to be able to supply enough water to the city.

Muyange also called upon clients to use water properly and also develop storage capacity adding that they should report to ELECTROGAZ branches in case of problems.

He also revealed that ELECTROGAZ has already identified areas where private investors can invest in production.

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