MUSANZE -The Rwanda Development Board (RDB), yesterday launched several projects worth Rwf86 million for communities residing around the Volcanoes National Park, as part of activities to mark this year’s Gorillas naming ceremony.  

The projects that include 13 new classrooms at  Nyange1 secondary school, a carpentry workshop and 20 houses constructed under the financial support of SACOLA Lodge (Sabyinyo Community Livelihood Association) was launched by the Chief Executive Officer of RDB, John Gara. 

Addressing residents of Nyange Sector, Gara commended the local authorities for their participation in conservation initiatives saying that conservation of the park was a strong pillar for development of the area.

He added that the community projects should serve to remind the residents of their role in conservation and participate in tourism activities around the national park
The projects which are a result of the revenue sharing policy in which part of the revenue is invested in community projects, finds over 90 projects worth Rwf810m, already established since 2005.

They include 60 classrooms constructed in 10 schools under the  Nine-Year Basic Education (9-YBE) , water harvesting tanks, bridges and agro related small scale projects for the youth, women and the former poachers.

The ceremony was also attended by the Head of Tourism and Conservation in RBD Rica Rwigamba, the Governor of the Northern Province, Aime Bosenibamwe, and the Division Commander, Brig. Gen Alex Kagame.

Bosenibamwe commended RDB for the developmental projects in the area urging residents to take good care of the new facilities.

"The community projects are a clear testimony that Rwanda’s tourism sector is a viable instrument for poverty eradication and a mobilization strategy to involve communities in conserving the wildlife and their habitats”

Similar projects have been launched in the Eastern and the Western provinces, around the Akagera and Nyungwe National Parks.

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