KIGALI - The International Committee of the Red Cross completed a water supply project in Cyugwe- Gihogwe, a rural neighbourhood on the outskirts of Kigali city.

Launched by the ICRC in April 2006 in conjunction with Electrogaz, the $200,000 (Frw110m) water project, will serve 22,000 families in the sectors of Jabana, Jari and Gatsata in Gasabo district Kigali city.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony on Thursday, the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) delegation in Rwanda, Tobias Epprecht, explained that the work done will minimize the long journeys prior spent searching for good water.

"We are optimistic that rural people can now have access to water of an adequate quality and quantity,” he said.

The ICRC has worked with the local authorities in the area to set up water management committees in the neighbourhoods benefiting from this project, to ensure that the systems last.

Epprecht further noted that ICRC has also funded training sessions and provided equipment to help inhabitants run three water sources.

Speaking at the ceremony, ELECTROGAZ managing director John Mirenge, called on the three sectors’ residents to always safe guard their water channels.

In Kigali City, Mirenge explained, for some only few cubic meters of water can only be accessed a day. City residents need 40,000 cubic meters need a day.

ICRC is planning to complete three other water projects in the East and Southern Province this year, which will benefit over 49,000 families.

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