EASTERN PROVINCE

NYAGATARE - Scores of Matimba sector residents in Nyagatare district have expressed frustrations in accessing water in what they termed as a ‘damning’ water crisis in the area.

The crisis, according to residents, has been persisting for quite some time. Consequently  some  residents especially cattle keepers have started selling off their cattle stocks to forestall likely and looming losses.

‘The whole sector doesn’t have any water tap or source to supply water to residents. You can imagine how risky this issue is.

We only  get water from Akagera River that is far from here,’ a resident, Eugene Muhizi told this reporter.

When The New Times toured numerous homes around the affected sector at around 2 pm yesterday, residents were feeding water to their cattle using basins and other utensils.

‘I think you can see how tough this is. We have to fetch water using  jerry cans from the only source which is nearly ten Kilometers way somewhere in Akagera River to ensure that these cows can drink water,’ another resident, Joan Mukaruriza said. 

However, according to Matimba Sector Executive Secretary, Alex Karengera, the crisis is soon to be a thing of the past.

Speaking to The New Times through a telephone interview yesterday, Karengera assured residents that all will be well in a week’s time from now.

‘Yes the problem has been there and we have been working to development partners to get to the bottom of the matter. We will have sorted it out in a week’s time,’ he said.

Karengera further revealed that the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has through the district budget, launched a project of developing water pumping machines from Umuvumba River that will be supplying water to residents.

‘We hope that with this project that is at its completion stage  within a week, residents will get enough water,’ he said.

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