Nyagatare-Rukomo road project gets Rwf11bn Kuwaiti funding

The Government of Rwanda and Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development yesterday signed a $15 million (about Rwf11.2 billion) financing deal to support the construction of the Nyagatare-Rukomo road. The concessional loan targets reducing the cost of transport, reducing poverty and speeding up economic development in the Eastern Province. The earth road stretches over 73.3 kilometres with a corridor width of 6-8 meters. The project covers the Nyagatare-Byumba-Base (124.8 kilometres) and is expected to cost more than $88.5 million (about Rwf65 billion). Finance minister Claver Gatete(L) shake hands with Hesham Al-Waqayan, the deputy director general, Kuwait Fund for economic development after the signing ceremony in Kigali yesterday. And, according to Claver Gatete, the minister for finance and economic planning, the line of credit will support the construction of an asphalt road between Nyagatare and Rukomo. The dual carriage road network is planned to be 73 kilometres long and seven metres wide. Minister Gatete said the project aims at reducing the costs of transport and mobility in general, while improving the road security and safety as well as raising the standards of living of the population in the area. Alexis Nzahabwanimana, the state minister for transport, said the project is expected to be completed in two years after its commencement. “Efforts to fast track the project are ongoing; We are expected to have the contactor in place by the end of next year, and the project will be completed within two years of its commencement,” Nzahabwanimana said during the signing ceremony in Kigali. Hesham Al-Waqayan, the deputy director-general of Kuwait Fund for Economic Development, said the road is expected to facilitate access to markets, create employment opportunities, foster regional trade, and ultimately lead to poverty reduction. Minister Nzahabwanimana (L) briefs journalists after the signing ceremony in Kigali yesterday. Al-Waqayan reaffirmed the Fund’s commitment to continue working with government on major infrastructure projects, including the construction of Bugesera International Airport. The cooperation of Rwanda and Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development is mainly in the infrastructure area. The Fund has supported Rwanda through many sectors such as education, infrastructure, mainly roads and health. Guests pose in a group photo after the signing ceremony yesterday. Experts are confident that investing in infrastructure will enable the country’s private sector to deliver on the second Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy agenda. This financial year, the government plans to spend more than Rwf298.1 billion on infrastructure projects. Hesham Al-Waqayan, (L) chats with Finance minister Claver Gatete before the signing ceremony in Kigali yesterday.

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Nyagatare-Rukomo road project gets Rwf11bn Kuwaiti funding