The Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Stanislas Kamanzi, has criticised the decision by Egypt and Sudan to endorse the Commission on Water Resources Development Project in Rwanda without the country’s consent.

Kamanzi’s reaction follows resolutions reached by the Joint Technical Commission for Nile water at the just concluded second meeting of the 55th session held in Cairo, Egypt from December 26-30, 2011.

The decision was made in the presence of members of the technical commission from both Egypt and Sudan without officials from Rwanda.

"I have no comment to make on such an issue of national prerogative being unilaterally dealt with by only Egypt and Sudan,” said Kamanzi during an interview with The New Times yesterday.

He added that he would consult with officials in his ministry responsible for Water Resources Development Project to enlighten him over the controversial approval of the project.

During the meeting, the Egyptian Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Dr. Hisham Gandil, said in a statement, that they discussed the management of water resources in both countries, including monitoring of water levels and following up on operating rules for reservoirs, among others.

He pointed out that the approval of the Commission on Water Resources Development Project in Rwanda is within the framework of consultation and prior notification, adopted by the World Bank in funding projects to limit environmental damage among countries sharing the River Nile.

The meeting developed mechanisms to address the problem of grass in the waterways, and sharing of expertise and competencies among both countries.

frank.kanyesigye@newtimes.co.rw