A Non Governmental Organisation, Helpage, Wednesday unveiled several development projects worth Rwf 301 million in Nyamasheke District. The projects comprise of a rehabilitated 10 km road linking Mwezi-Cyapa-Bigutu and trees planted on 538 hectares of land in steep areas of Shangi and Nyabitekeri sectors.
A Non Governmental Organisation, Helpage, Wednesday unveiled several development projects worth Rwf 301 million in Nyamasheke District.
The projects comprise of a rehabilitated 10 km road linking Mwezi-Cyapa-Bigutu and trees planted on 538 hectares of land in steep areas of Shangi and Nyabitekeri sectors.
The projects fall within HELPAGE’s mission to conserve natural resources and rehabilitation of infrastructure to facilitate agriculture.
"The projects only took three months to complete, but have led to great development in Nyamasheke, right from temporary employment for the local residents to the infrastructure and environmental conservation projects, "said Jean Damascene Shyirambere, the Co-ordinator of Helpage in the Western Province.
He added that the projects are also meant to fight poverty in remote areas.
Talking to The New Times, residents hailed the new developments.
"Soil erosion was indeed a threat to our farming activities because we live in hilly areas. There was nothing much we could do. But with these new trees, we hope erosion will be history,” commented Faustin Habimana, a farmer from Shangi.
"The new road will link us to the rest of Nyamasheke and Rusizi as well. We shall be able to transport our farm products easily,” said another farmer.