Residents of Ubwiza village in Gasabo District, Kigali City, are at risk of losing their lives as a result of a dangerous drainage channel in the area.

One of the threatened residents who spoke to The New Times Monday protested the construction of the channel between Kimironko suburb and Nyandungu wetland.

Aulérie Mukandori complained the channel being constructed by Emujeco, a private firm contracted by Kigali City Council, will cause the area’s natural water springs to erode their fragile plots of land. 

"It is simply going to increase water volumes, which I believe will escalate the landslides already threatening us” observed Mukandori.

Aulérie said their land started getting washed away early this year when an 8-metre deep ditch eroded and destroyed two adjacent houses, before the channel was constructed.

Meanwhile, Gasabo District vice mayor in charge of finance and economic development Paul Jabo, Tuesday assured the residents that the problem had been forwarded to the concerned parties.

"We have informed city council authorities and today I am also presenting a report on the issue to the Senate as had been requested when members visited the site,” promised Jabo. 

Kimironko Sector executive secretary, Robert Habimana, hopes that when completed, the channel will solve the problem of springs by directing them into one water course.

"They are constructing the channel in boggy land, which I think will not stop springs from eroding our homes” complained, Mukandori.

Asked whether the possibility of relocating threatened homes to safer areas was being considered, Habimana said home owners had not shown any interest yet.

"We have broached the subject but they haven’t showed interest in quitting the area,” he explained; adding that most of them illegally occupy Nyandungu wetland’s no go zone.

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