Rwanda and Uganda to partner in water management development

KIGALI - The Rwandan electricity and water utility company, ELECTROGAZ, has signed a memorandum of cooperation with its Ugandan sister company, National Water and Sewage Cooperation (NWSC) to strengthen the water efficiency and supply in Rwanda. The memo includes adopting two manuals developed by ELECTROGAZ: Water Resource Management Manual and Commercial Policies and Procedures Manual. The signing of the agreement was witnessed by the Rwandan Minister for Infrastructure, Eng. Linda Bihire, and her Ugandan counterpart for water and Environment, Jennifer Namiyangu. Speaking after the signing of the cooperation agreement, Bihire said that it was a great opportunity for both countries to share skills for development. “If you look at the developed countries, they all passed through partnership with other countries and I believe this move will enable ELECTROGAZ to grow,” she said. The Ugandan Minister, Namiyangu, said that she is confident the cooperation agreement will contribute much in terms of developing both sister companies and thanked ELECTROGAZ for having selected NWSC. “I am sure Uganda will learn a lot from ELECTROGAZ during the execution of this assignment, therefore I am looking at ELECTROGAZ bringing their unique experiences to Uganda,” said Namiyangu. According to her, the agreement provides an excellent basis and framework for the ongoing consultancy services between ELECTROGAZ and NWSC. “There is no doubt the policies and procedures manual will go along way in enhancing further improvement towards the realization of ELECTROGAZ’s motto; ‘to be the most efficient and customer centric utility in the region,” Namiyangu added. The signing was also attended by the board chairman of ELECTORGAZ, Prof. Chrysologue Karangwa. “I have no doubt we are going to learn a lot from our Ugandan counterparts and they will definitely also learn from us,” he said. Speaking after signing the cooperation agreement on behalf of ELECTROGAZ, the John Mirenge who is the Director General of the company said that it is a testimony that his company always wished to tell. “NWSC is one or best stable utility on the continent and that is why we chose to partner with them,” Mirenge said.He added that currently ELECTROGAZ is in the process of separating water from electricity in order to revamp the water utility. Speaking about the partnership between two companies Mirenge said that it is a relationship of equal partners with no consultancy between. The Managing Director of NWSC Dr. William Muhairwe said that his company is currently operating in six countries including Rwanda and that Rwanda is capable of performing more that it is expected. “The strength on Rwanda lies in its people who have the will and desire to develop their country. There are also very many opportunities and signing of this MoU is in line with the spirit of the East African Community to simplify the cooperation,” he said. Muhairwe also added that Rwanda’s strength should be complemented for the development of the continent. Ends