Somehow, a modern stone quarry in Rwanda cannot be entirely a surprise to anyone. In fact, one might be so bold as to suggest that it was long overdue. So if the government has decided to spend as much as Frw1 billion on putting up a super quarry, then it should be fully applauded and supported, because it is one thing that will address many development issues all at once.

First of all we have to consider the number of people who will get employed in this industry. It is always a boon to government whenever it forms an enterprise that can suck up as many people as possible out of the unemployment clutches. We have less potential criminals wasting away time during day planning mischief, and executing their evil plans during night.

Secondly and most important, Rwanda lacks many natural resources that have propelled other countries into development. Then it has a grim terrain, with less cultivable land but with rocky, unproductive hills that can barely sustain vegetation that can be used by man to any advantage. With this sort of prospect, it needs an ingenious and determined government to find its people a form of livelihood.
A stone quarry is one way of trying to turn this grim, unproductive rock to advantage. Getting slate materials out of rock to replace roofing, wall or floor tiles that is generally imported is such a beautiful idea. And maybe, just maybe, production can be so good as to even start exporting these tiles. Why not? The idea is that Rwanda is at last going to turn its supposed rocky disadvantage to advantage.

We even do not need to expressly think only of that special slate rock that is found in Nyabihu. We can use other stone quarries to fashion building materials out of other, more readily available types of rock. We have no fuel resources to fire our bricks, so why do we not use stone more regularly for our run-away construction needs?
Stone quarries are surely one way of making the best use of whatever natural resources God bestowed on Rwanda.
Ends