The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Infrastructure Fidele Abimana and Isao Fukushima, the Ambassador of Japan to Rwanda on Wednesday, March 20, inaugurated the recently completed Nzove - Ntora principal water transmission pipeline which is the largest in Rwanda with 900mm diameter.
Among others present were Prof. Omar Munyaneza, the Chief Executive Officer of Water and Sanitation Corporation (WASAC) Group, Minako Shiotsuka, Chief Representative of JICA and other dignitaries.
The inauguration of this new pipeline spanning 9.357 kilometers enables supply water to the Ntora reservoir located in Gisozi Sectot at a capacity of 53,000 m3 per day, up from 37,000 m3. This increased water access for residents of different parts of Kigali which include, Gisozi, Batsinda, Gasanze, Kagugu, Gacuriro, Kibagabaga, Kinyinya, Nduba, Nyarutarama and so many other places in Gasabo and Nyarugenge Districts.
Jean-Chrysostome Munyansanga, a resident in Nduba Sector and one of the project’s beneficiaries said that the initiative arrived just in time as the area had long endured water scarcity, leading many to believe they would never have access to water. He explained that water scarcity had caused school dropouts as fetching water became a profit-making job. Munyansanga expressed gratitude to WASAC Group and its partners to address water scarcity in their residence erea.
Funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the project received a substantial grant of $22 million equivalent to Rwf28.3 billion. Japan has been supporting the government of Rwanda in the water sector through JICA, focusing on strengthening water supply infrastructure, reducing non-revenue water, and maintaining rural water supply systems through grant aid, technical cooperation, and training for WASAC Group staff.
Ambassador Fukushima said the two countries have steadfastly enhanced bilateral ties for more than 60 years. “Over the course of the long history of our cooperation, Japan has provided a wide range of assistance at every corner of this country. The assistance in the area of water and sanitation is not the exception”, he mentioned
Prof. Omar Munyaneza, the Chief Executive Officer of WASAC Group, said that water rate stands at 82.3% nationwide, with Kigali City above 90 % and the newly inaugurated pipeline increased water access rate. “We are working hard to ensure adequate water access to all Rwandans. We are installing new water supply systems and plan to rehabilitate old water treatment plants, starting with the Nzove 1 WTP.’
The Nzove Water treatment plant has production capacity of 120,000 m3 of water daily. However, due to pipe limitations, it currently provides 73,000 m3 daily, with the potential to increase to 80,000 m3. The project to reinforce the Nzove - Ntora water main water transmission pipeline has added 16,0000 cubic meters of water per day to the network.
