New water facilities to serve 33,000 people in Eastern Province

Water and Sanitation Corporation (WASAC) has inaugurated the long awaited water facilities constructed in Kayonza, Ngoma and Gatsibo districts in Eastern Province under the national project for rural water supply. The facilities were constructed in partnership with Japanese International Cooperation Agency. At the inauguration in Gatsibo’s Remera Sector, the Minister of State in Charge of Energy, Water and Sanitation in the Ministry of Infrastructure, Germaine Kamayirese, told residents of Gatsibo that the Government is committed to extending water access to every Rwandan. “We decided to give way for private individuals to run public water taps such that there can be enough funds for rehabilitation of the facilities when they’re broken,” the minister said. She thanked the Japanese Government for its partnership with the Government of Rwanda. Japanese Ambassador to Rwanda Takayuki Miyashita congratulated WASAC on the completion of the water project, which he termed as a “heavy task but worth the effort for the wellbeing of the people of Rwanda.” “I would like to celebrate the completion of the project with you here and I congratulate WASAC and the residents who all had a role in the construction process,” said Miyashita. Mininfra, Jica and Wasac visit the water plant in Remera Gatsibo. / Kelly Rwamapera WASAC promises more WASAC chief executive James Sano promised Gatsibo residents that water will be more affordable in the coming days. “We’re closely working with MININFRA and we’re assured that soon the grid will be extended to the place where water pumps are and it will be cheaper than the Rwf25 you currently pay per jerry can,” he said. According to Gatsibo vicemayor in charge of economic development, Theogene Manzi, the project increased clean water access to 74 per cent and lowered price per 20-litre jerry can from Rwf200 to Rwf25 in the area. However, Manzi asked WASAC to extend water to residents of Gasange, Murambi and Kiziguro sectors where 26 per cent of the population still lack access to clean water. This is the third phase of the series of projects of rural water supply in Eastern Province. The first phase was completed in March 2008 and benefited over 43000 people of Ngoma, Kayonza and Rwamagana. The second phase was completed in 2013 and benefited over 55000 people. Statistics show that Eastern Province has had an increase in clean water supply from 57 per cent in 2006 to 80 per cent currently. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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New water facilities to serve 33,000 people in Eastern Province