The modern high altitude antenna on Mt. Karisimbi will house a regional climate change observatory centre due to the strategic location and the technology in the facility, the project coordinator said yesterday.

Augustin Iyako said that Karisimbi Project, which is also expected to enhance broadcasting capabilities in Rwanda, fits to be the Comesa climate change observatory centre because it is positioned between River Nile, River Congo and the Albertine.

The climate change observatory centre will involve a weather centre, seismic monitoring unit, hydrology unit, geothermal unit, atmospheric emission and a precipitation monitoring unit. It will also monitor global climate change and water levels.

Iyako said discussions between Rwanda and the Comesa about the implementation of the project will commence in November this year. Comesa has agreed to employ a meteorological expert to examine the viability of the project.

Other important regional projects to be hosted by the 4507m antennae include communication navigation and surveillance, Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) system for Comesa countries as well as acting as a hub for VSAT Closed User Group (CUG).

Comesa will also mobilise countries in the block to corporate in project while the African Development Bank (ADB) promised to finance CNS/ATM, depending on airspace covered and the number countries that will sign the corporation.

According to Iyako, necessary infrastructure like electricity, fibre optic tower and Digital Video Broadcast Telestrial (DVBT) has been installed.

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