GICUMBI – About 12,000 people in various sectors of Gicumbi District are set to be connected to the national electricity grid.

The manager of  the national power and water utility, RECO& RWASCO, in  Gicumbi District, Gilbert Rubayita, revealed this during a meeting at Gicumbi District hall which brought together the parastatal and their clients, to mark its  ‘Accountability Day.’

Rubayita, disclosed that this year, the corporation managed to connect residents of Miyove Sector in Gicumbi, Kisaro in Rulindo district and Ruhunde Sector in Burera respectively.

"Our next target is to provide electricity to over 12,000 clients in Gicumbi District rural sectors of Nyamiyaga, Rutare, Bukure and Gaseke trading centre along Kigali-Gatuna highway,” he said.

He added that the electrification project will be funded by the World Bank, and work will commence before the end of the year.

Other sectors set to get electricity with funding from the Common Development Fund (CDF), are Mukarange, Shangasha and Yaramba Market of Nyankenke Sector, according to Rubayita.

However, residents questioned the water and power utility, asking why water supply was erratic in some areas. A resident of Kageyo Sector, Andrew Claude Gakwaya, asked why there is insufficient supply of water in his Sector, yet the district is endowed with many water sources.

In response, Rubayita explained that residents of Kageyo and neighbouring Rukomo Sector will soon receive abundant water supply, as a water tank has been constructed at Kageyo Sector.

"Plans are also underway to increase water supply by identifying alternative water sources to boost the current water source at Nyamabuye Cell of Byumba Sector, which is not able to supply water to all sectors,” added Rubayita.

At the Saturday meeting, the officials of RECO& RWASCO pledged to improve service delivery, and to ensure that more residents get electricity and piped water in the three districts of Gicumbi, Rulindo and Burera.

A representative of RECO& RWASCO Director General, Theogene Rukundo, said the day was meant for their clients to evaluate the corporation’s performance over the last couple of years in order to improve service delivery.

"We need your contributions, to enable us improve on service delivery and guarantee the availability of electricity and water to many Rwandans,” he said.

Ends