WESTERN PROVINCE KARONGI – The construction of the road to link Karongi and Nyanza District in Southern Province has started, an official confirmed. In an interview last Friday, Jean Baptist Hakizimana, the district Vice Mayor in charge of Finance and Economic Affairs said once completed, the road will enhance economic development and foster cooperation between the two districts. ‘This feeder road is very crucial to both districts. It will foster cooperation between Karongi and Nyanza while enhancing trade and communication,’ he noted. The 90km road is being constructed by Npd Cotraco Company, an infrastructure project partly funded by the government of Rwanda. It will also help residents get access to markets for their products, which has previously been a problem, according to officials. At least Rwf.1.7 billion has so far been used in the first phase, said Hakizimana. ‘Now that this road is set to be tarmacked, trade between the two districts is will be enhanced. Residents will be exchanging products which will in turn boost their production capacities thereby widening access to their markets,’ he said. Currently, Karongi district’s mode of transport has been passing via Gitarama to connect to Nyanza, which they say has been tiresome and costly. The new road will pass through Rubengera and Gashari Sectors to Nyanza and then to wards Nyamagabe District in Southern province. Ends
