Nyabugogo flood waters to be drained today

The floods that have ravaged the roadway, in proximity of Nyabugogo business zone and Main Taxi Park will be drained today with combined efforts of the public and various government departments.  This intervention will serve as a short term solution to the problem that has almost blocked the road, forcing a number of small automobiles to seek alternative bypasses; while pedestrians pay to be carried across. 

Sunday, December 04, 2011
Premier Pierre Damien Habumuremyi (R) wth Chief of defence staff Lt. Gen. Charles Kayonga looking at the flooded section of the highway at Nyabugogo. The Sunday Times/J. Mbanda.

The floods that have ravaged the roadway, in proximity of Nyabugogo business zone and Main Taxi Park will be drained today with combined efforts of the public and various government departments.

This intervention will serve as a short term solution to the problem that has almost blocked the road, forcing a number of small automobiles to seek alternative bypasses; while pedestrians pay to be carried across. 

Visiting the area, yesterday, Prime Minister,Pierre Damien Habumuremyi called for immediate intervention. The visit also included top government officials like ministers and seniors Police and Army officials who discussed possible remedies in a meeting convened after the Premier’s visit. 

The Mayor of Kigali City, Fidele Ndayisaba, told the Sunday Times that the flooding is caused by in the faulty drainage system of the area, which is a swamp with many waterways flowing through.

"Clearing the road is a short term intervention, a generally bigger plan of correcting the whole drainage system will be discussed soon,” he said. 

The Chief of Defence Staff, Lt Gen Charles Kayonga, said that the army would avail any possible manpower for the exercise, but called on other institutions and the general public to also actively participate,. 

emma.munyaneza@newtimes.rw