EASTERN PROVINCE

KIREHE — A $348,047 (approximately Frw189 million) water project was recently inaugurated in Kirehe District, to solve the problem of water which has often hit the area.

Prof. Bikoro Munyanganizi, the minister for water, lands and natural resources commissioned the project.

Kirehe is one of the districts in the country that is normally most hit by water shortages. It is also one of the districts that is most drought stricken.

Recently, about 12,000 hectares of maize, supposedly the biggest single farming venture in any district, was nearly ruined by drought. Had it not been the intervention by the government and private institutions, working hand in hand with the local residents to irrigate the maize, not even a quarter of the 50,000 tones projected would have been harvested.

The maize was planted in the six sectors of Murenge, Nyamugali, Mahama, Nasho, Mpanga, Kigarama and Musazo and is one of the specialized crops that were chosen to be planted in the district alongside bananas and pineapples.

Kirehe district has 12 sectors, 60 cells and 612 villages. It has a population of over 200,000 mostly women making 52% of the total population.

However, the problem of water shortages is most prevalent in Gatore sector, with a population of 22,000. Most of the residents used to travel about 2km to reach the nearest water source. Sometimes they could buy a jerry can of water, albeit not clean, at a fee not less than Frw50.

The six-month water project was funded by Nestle SA, Inter-Faith Action for Peace in Africa (IFAPA) and implemented by Lutheran World Federation (LWF).

The water is expected to benefit 10,500 (49%) residents of the total population of Gatore sector; which is estimated to be 3.5 of the total district population.

"Urakarama perezida Kagame wacu, murakarama abaterankunga (Long live our president [Paul Kagame] long live the funders), Patrick Kalisa, 62, said with a smile on his lips. He said that it is only this government with its people at heart.

"I have been in this country since I was born but I had never seen any government coming out to help most especially in this problem of water which has been affecting us for many years," he said.

Anthony Rutegamihigo, 52, a father of seven, says since he arrived in this area10 years ago, this is his most memorable time.

"Today God has answered my prayers. I don’t remember any day going to bed without first praying to God to deliver us out of this burden of walking several kilometres looking for water," Rutegamihigo looking visibly happy said.

"My children are now relieved of the pain they have been going through each carrying 20 litres of water from about four kilometres. The money I used to buy water will now be saved for my children’s school fees."

Mukagaga Theresa, another resident, said that this is her best moment in life. "I can’t remember having such a smile for the past 20 years," she said.

A mother of nine, Mukagaga said she and her children would now spend most of the time tending to her gardens, since they now have water close to them.

During the inauguration, the Mayor of Kirehe district, Patrick Nkunzumwami, also commended God for the water project, saying the water crisis in Gatore sector had been one of his major concerns.

"This country got her independence 30 years ago, but less effort was put in helping citizens not only in terms of water, but also in other fields that would help them develop," Nkunzumwami said.

"Though we thank those who had a hand in projects our sincere gratitude goes to the President of the Rwanda because he is the main brain behind all these good things."

Over 55% of the population in Kirehe district now has access to clean water, which is more than half the 65 percent of people with access to clean water in the whole Eastern province.

Ends