The Chinese government has sponsored the 200-Borehole project meant to increase access to clean water for people in rural areas by drilling boreholes in different parts of Rwanda.
Residents in Kamonyi District expressed their gratitude to have safe and clean water after many years, as the delegation from Chinese Embassy in Rwanda have been visiting one of the boreholes constructed in Sheri Cell.
A resident of Kamonyi in Rugalika area, Mukabatsinda Dancille, 40 year old mother, told reporters, that she was very happy to be drinking safe water from the borehole which is free from germs. “We are very happy for this project that gave us clean water. Before we were drinking dirty water that had germs. Our children were at risk of going to fetch water from distant places,” she said.
The Executive Secretary of Rugalika Sector Ms. Umugiraneza Martha thanked the leadership of China and Rwanda especially the management of The Water and Sanitation Corporation (WASAC) for improving the lives of people as water is life.
‘’Generally, in Rugalika Sector we face a very big challenge of water shortage because now Rugalika Sector enroll more than 44,000 people and in 5 cells only the half of two among those cells have got clean water while in other cell they had not accessed clean water yet. The project of borehole brings hope to resolve this problem to the people in this area.’’ She Said
Vincent de Paul Mugwaneza, director in charger water Supply in rural areas, in WASAC, told reporters that this project is one of 200 projects that are in process to resolve the problem of water shortage in rural areas at full tilt.
‘’This borehole is among many others constructed in partnership with China, and is one of infrastructure at top speed to resolve water shortage problems in rural areas like this. This means that where we don’t yet have sustainable water supply infrastructures, borehole is a quick answer for this matter.’’ He said.
Mr. Vincent de Paul further said that the project is now at 70% of completion, and full implementation is expected by April, 2022.
Mr. Chen Jinke, the team leader of China Geo-Engineering Corporation (CGC), the company undertaking the implementation of the project told reporters in an interview, that China and Rwanda enjoy excellent relations and the borehole project is one such example that comes to cement the good relations by supplying clean water to the people. Mr. Chen said this during a visit of the borehole in the District of Kamonyi in Southern province.
Mr. Chen further mentioned that he was happy to give contribution in important government programs that have an impact on the wellbeing of the people.
The borehole project started in 2019, was supposed to be completed in two years, but it was delayed due to COVID-19 challenges.
The project of boreholes covers 9 Districts including 7 districts located in Eastern, and 2 districts located in Southern province. The whole Project is to construct 200 boreholes, it’s estimated to cost is up to 8 billion Rwanda Francs.
