New project to track corruption trends in climate change initiatives

Transparency International Rwanda has launched a Rwf113.5 million project to strengthen accountability and transparency in the implementation of climate change projects in Rwanda. Apollinaire Mupiganyi, the Executive Director of Transparency International Rwanda, said that the initiative will particularly monitor the implementation of an Rwf32 billion climate resilience project in Gicumbi district. The initiative will be implemented in the sectors of Cyumba, Kaniga, Rubaya, Rushaki, Shangasha, and Mukarange by establishing climate-resilient settlements, sustainable forest management and sustainable energy, watershed protection and resilient agriculture through solar-powered irrigation as well as knowledge transfer in protecting the environment. To implement this project, Mupiganyi said that there is a need to ensure zero corruption. Two people plant a tree in Gicumbi last week. Photo: Courtesy. He said that the previous assessment last year found that 55 per cent of final beneficiaries were not informed about climate change financed projects being implemented in the areas where they live since they were never consulted to participate. “From the survey, we found no transparency and accountability. Corruption occurs when there is lack of transparency and accountability as well as a lack of information. Information is very key for the final beneficiaries. Majority of respondents said that there were anomalies in the selection of beneficiaries and poor service delivery, generally. So, someone can only conclude that there may have been corruption. This leads to the non-effective implementation of the funded climate projects,” he said. He noted that the new project will reduce the rate of unaccountability. “We will use our local network of CCCs which are Concerned Citizens Committees who will conduct social audits, civil societies as well as the media to ensure accountability in the project’s implementation. This will later be scaled up in other districts,” he added. The project is based on the fact that more than $450 billion of international public money each year are allocated to finance climate change projects. In Rwanda, climate warming has a negative impact on the lives of Rwandans and affects about ten percent of the national budget. The climate vulnerability Index 2015 for Rwanda revealed that the national impact of the vulnerability is high (0.428) compared to the potential of 0.498. Mupiganyi said that climate governance integrity scheme to ensure transparent implementation of projects to mitigate climate and adapt to climate change has been piloted in six countries namely Bangladesh, Maldives, Costa Rica, Korea, Mexico, and Nepal. Since 2017, Rwanda and Kenya were included, he said. The project is funded by Germany Federal Ministry for the environment, nature conservation, building and nuclear safety. “The project will monitor the level of citizen satisfaction with regard to the implementation of financed climate change projects,” he said. Faustin Vuningoma, the Coordinator of Rwanda Climate Change and Development Network, said, “Unless a community has been involved in the choice, design, and deployment of the technology they will not feel a sense of ownership and the purpose of the intervention will be defeated.” Hubert Ruzibiza, CEO of Rwanda Green Fund (FONERWA), said that transparency should be part of designing all climate projects. “Planet crisis already has a significant impact on Rwanda’s economic development. The country spends (billions) to respond to climate-related disasters. We need to increase green investments to achieve green growth and transparency is cross-cutting,” he said. “Climate change is real and transparency is a common denominator approach in all our project implementation. We also need to join efforts especially in raising awareness and increasing the level of understanding,” he added. editor@newtimesrwanda.com

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New project to track corruption trends in climate change initiatives