Gicumbi/Burera - Over 14,000 people from the hilly areas of Gatebe and Kivuye sectors in Burera District, will have access to clean water, following the construction of a 24 km water supply system in the area.

The Minister of State for Water and Energy, Collete Ruhamya, inaugurated the Rwf294 million water supply project, that will also serve two primary schools, and a health centre.

The Minister also launched a Rwf7 bn water supply scheme; PNEAR-Rural Water Supply and Sanitation National Programme, in Gicumbi District.
The project will extend water over a distance of 432 kilometers in five districts.

These include Gicumbi and Rulindo in the Nothern Province and Rutsiro, Nyamasheke and Karongi, in the Western Province. Another Rwf4 billion has been set aside for hygiene and sanitation campaign, according to officials.
The launch of the projects is part of activities to mark the Water Week.

Ruhamya urged the residents to protect water infrastructures and ensure that they are adequately maintained.

"With clean water, we shall stop water born diseases, and improve the health of the residents,” Ruhamya said.
"We have been fetching water from Rugezi swamp, dirty water full of grass, mud and insects,” Jean Pierre Munyarubibi, a resident of Kivuye sector said.

"We did not have a well or stream, children have been missing school because they had to fetch water from far.’’
Burera Mayor, Samuel Sembagari, said that the district will prioritize promoting hygiene and sanitation including making people adopt the habit of washing their hands.

Nganzo-Gatebe water supply system was constructed by the government of Rwanda in partnership with Netherlands, and UNICEF.

Ends