Kigali, 3 December 2018: Minister of Infrastructure, Ambassador Claver Gatete commended the continued efforts for the rehabilitation and upgrading of water and electricity plants to reach the Government targets.

This comes after a two-day visit to different infrastructure projects in Musanze, Nyabihu and Rubavu Districts between 30 November and 1 December 2018.

Minister of Infrastructure and Heads of Agencies concerned visited Mukungwa 1 (12.5KW), Ntaruka (11.25MW), Rwaza Muko (2.8MW) and Gihira hydro power plants and Camp Belge Substation (Musanze) with the aim of assessing the current production capacity of these facilities and discuss plans to increase their generation.

During this visit, Minister Gatete appreciated SoEnergy (a thermal with a capacity of 10 MW) for its contribution in providing standby power to REG when required.

Minister of infrastructure hailed the greater contribution of private operators in modernizing the energy grid, boosting energy efficiency and diversifying energy supply sources

He also urged collaboration between REG and other stakeholders in fast-tracking rehabilitation of Ntaruka hydropower plant and Camp Belge substation and upgrading the existing power distribution networks toensure reliable and stable electricity supply.  

In the same context, Minister Gatete visited Mutobo and Gihira water treatment plants located in Nyabihu and Rubavu respectively.

Mutobo plant has the current production capacity of 12,500m3/day with the demand of 9000m3/day for Musanze against supply of 7000m3/day. The main challenge of the plant is the expansion and rehabilitation of distribution network.

To this regard, WASAC started the construction of four reservoirs to reinforce water supply in the sectors of Musanze and Nyabihu.

Minister of infrastructure and WASAC management also discussed actions to address the issue of low production of Gihira Water treatment plant which treats 8,800m3 per day due to insufficient water levels.

Minister Gatete said that the increased production capacity of water treatment plants “will ensure equitable provision of adequate, reliable and sustainable water and sanitation services for the population in the areas, thereby contributing to an improved quality of life”.