Kabuga-Masaka road works start

The long awaited construction of the Kabuga-Masaka road finally started on Thursday.The 6.3 km road is being funded by the People’s Republic of China at a tune of $12m (Rwf8bn).“This road is the best of its kind in Rwanda. Apart from high end lanes for vehicles, it will have a pedestrian and cyclists lanes. Everybody will have access to the road irrespective of the means of transport,” Alexis Nzahabwanimana, the State Minister for Transport said at the launch of the road works.The minister said the road construction grant from China reflected excellent diplomatic ties between the two countries.China Road and Bridge Corporation was contracted to build the road, expected to be completed within 14 months.The company is also constructing other roads in the country, including the 81 kilometre Rusizi-Nyamasheke and a 66 kilometre Nyamasheke-Karongi tarmac roads, which are estimated to cost $110m (over Rwf75bn). Nzahabwanimana said he is confident the company would do a good job, because of their experience. The Mayor of the City of Kigali, Fidele Ndayisaba, urged Masaka residents to make good use of the road to boost their businesses.He also asked residents with roadside plots to follow the City Master Plan while constructing buildings, saying the road had many opportunities to offer.Speaking at the same launch, Chinese ambassador to Rwanda Shen Yongxiang, reaffirmed his country’s commitment to cooperate with Rwanda. He also pledged continued support to the country, given its accountable governance.The City of Kigali is working on a number of road construction projects, meant to improve the road network in the city.Apart from a phase of a 100km stone-paved road construction that kicked off last month, several other roads are meant to be upgraded this year.They include a road joining Kacyiru to Nyarutarama via the Ministry of Agriculture, SOS Kacyiru and Golf club.There is also a road joining Rwanda Development Board to La Croix du Sud (Kwa Nyirinkwaya) hospital, and Cumi na Kabiri-Masoro Adventist University.Construction of Nyanza-Kicukiro-Rebero-Kimisange road is also in the city’s priorities.According to city officials, after the construction of Masaka-Kabuga road, the City of Kigali will have an estimated 400km long tarmac road network.

National

Kabuga-Masaka road works start