EWSA can do much better

Editor, REFER TO the article, “MPs irked by ‘inefficiencies’ in energy, water body operations” (The New Times, March 27). I would like to thank the MPs for a job well done. It is not a surprise to hear that EWSA operates without a strategic plan. I live in Kimironko (a Kigali suburb) and I have not received my water bill since January despite my constant reminder and inconvenient travels to the utility’s offices. The excuse that their system broke down is not convincing since that cannot take months to fix. Secondly, for unknown reasons to clients, EWSA stopped their agents who had billing machines that would make it easy to pay. When you go to EWSA offices even the procedures to pay water bills are another nightmare! It’s about time our MPs saved us from time wastage and poor service delivery. Gerald, Rwanda ************************ I SALUTE Gerald for speaking up his mind about EWSA. I would have however wished that besides the inefficiencies of EWSA that he could have drawn your attention to at least a few things they have done well. Think about all rural electrification to imidugudus (planned communal settlements) throughout the country, including Nkombo Island where the local population benefitted from a few of the positive EWSA impact to Rwandans. I quite agree with Gerald on the inefficiencies, but we should appreciate that while payments were not made well at least the services were there for Rwandans. Would you blame the one who brought the service into existence together with the one who failed to collect the revenues for the service provided? Data-wise, it rose 6 per cent in 1994 to almost 20 per cent now. Does that surely not need to be credited? Fellow Rwandans, let us stop negativism and start giving credit where it is due. I am not trying to ignore constructive criticism aiming at improvement, but to appreciate and criticize when necessary. Brown, Rwanda ************************ I AM a resident of the Kigali suburb of Kabeza; we get water on average one day a month and most of the time the water pressure is very low. If your tank does not fill up due to low pressure, you may be without water for the next 3 to 4 weeks. I know EWSA is doing many good things, however if you connect me to a service (in this case water), then let me have it and pay for it. If not, how will the service provider meet operating and maintenance costs? Allan, Rwanda

Opinions

EWSA can do much better