EASTERN PROVINCE

KIREHE — The State Minister for Water and Mines, Prof. Bikoro Munyanganizi, has urged citizens to protect water sources, saying water is the biggest problem affecting most Rwandans.

He made the call on Wednesday in Gatore Sector, Kirehe District while commissioning a water project worth $34,8047 (approximately Frw190 million).

The project was jointly funded by Nestle Sa and Inter-Faith Action for Peace in Africa (IFAPA). It was implemented was by the Lutheran World Federation [LWF].

Munyanganizi said that water is life and sanitation is dignity, and that is why it needs to be protected.

"We are fighting to ensure good health for all Rwandans. This is why everyone should play a role in protecting water sources in order to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) in time," Munyanganizi said.

He stressed that availing abundant clean water to all Rwandans by the year 2020, achieving the MDGs and putting Vision 2020 into reality, were the government’s preoccupation.

He explained that by the year 2000, the percentage of people in the country who had access to clean water stood at 41 percent, which has since increased to 72%. He noted that the government was already close to achieving the MDGs projected to be attained in the year 2015.

"We are now aiming at reaching 80% before the year’s end," the minister who reportedly represented President Paul Kagame at the function said.

"What the President requires of us is to do everything effectively because there is still a lot to be done, especially in the ongoing Green Revolution policy."

The minister called upon citizens to always think of achieving in time whatever they set out to do.

Munyanganizi thanked the donors and other stakeholders for the successful completion of the water project, urging them for continued support to enable the remaining Sectors also get access to clean water.

The project will benefit over 10,500 (49%) of the total population of Gatore Sector who make up 3.5% of the district’s population. Residents used to walk between two to four kilometres to reach the nearest water source.

During the same function, 30 members of the water users’ committee and 16 technicians were awarded certificates of recognition.

The function was attended by among others, the Secretary General of IFAPA who is also the president of LWF, Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko, and Niels Christiansen, president of Nestle SA.

Nestle Sa is a world leading food beverage company which also intervenes directly in providing safe drinking water during humanitarian emergencies.

IFAPA is a continent-wide network of national and local inter-faith councils, religious leaders and communities committed to working together for peace in Africa.

It combines all the major religious denominations in Africa including Christianity, Islam, African traditional religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, the Bahai faith and Judaism. It largely focuses on promoting practical inter-faith action for peace in Africa as well as bringing a broad approach to the challenges of inter-faith cooperation in the search for lasting peace.

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