18th August, 2015-The Minister of Infrastructure, Honorable James Musoni presided over the annual Imihigo signing ceremony at the Ministry of Infrastructure offices Kacyiru, where Board of Directors of the affiliated agencies signed new performance contracts. 

The Ministry affiliated agencies include; Rwanda Energy Group (REG) Rwanda Housing Authority (RHA),Water and Sanitation Corporation (WASAC), Rwanda Transport Development Agency (RTDA), Rwandair, Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority(RCAA), Road Maintenance Fund (RMF).

The Ministry evaluation report of the 2014/2015 showed tremendous achievements at a rate of 74% in all sectors. (Energy, Water & Sanitation, Transport, Urbanization and Settlement.

These key achievements are grounded on the targets that were set during the fiscal year 2014/2015 against the key objectives outlined in the long term National programs such as Vision 2020, EDPRS II, 7 YGP, Sector Strategic Plan and other national priorities identified in different national forums or dialogue such as the National Leadership Retreat (NLR) and National Dialogue.

In the fiscal year 2014/15, 50,000 households were connected to the grid and 6,400 households were electrified with off-Grid solutions whereas 5,600 solar home systems were installed, and 300 solar systems installed in schools.

In transport infrastructure, 137.6 KM of paved roads were rehabilitated, 147.8 Km Constructed, 179.9Km maintained and 950 km of feeder roads to facilitate market access for rural farmers. As far as urbanization and rural settlement sector is concerned, housing policy, development of urban planning and human settlement codes and standards, plot servicing and Ministerial orders were adopted in the fiscal year 2014/15 and in the 2015/16.

Imihigo is a performance contract between leaders and those you serve. Citizens will continue to hold you accountable. "As leaders, you must put your words into action and walk the talk. Aim to work harder and deliver on time, it is your responsibility to solve challenges faced by citizens in an efficient and just manner. We must uphold a culture of accountability. The progress we have made is not an excuse for complacency. We should look ahead and work to accomplish even more with every step that we take". Honorable James Musoni noted.

"The objective now is to ensure that key actions are part of the plan and are fully implemented. It will also allow enough time for implementation,” he noted.

The board of Directors signed Imihigo to formally commit, in the presence of Honorable Minister of Infrastructure, to execute new and ‘innovative’ Imihigo (performance contracts) as the country looks to new approaches of fast-tracking economic development and creating fast impact on livelihood by getting clean drinking water, improved access roads, connecting households with electricity and sustainable urbanization.

The Board of directors committed to implement key activities within a specific time frame ensuring utilization of available resources wisely to implement the projects.

Electricity generation will increase from 160 megawatts to 230 megawatts, while at the same time ensuring diversification of energy sources in the fiscal year 2015/16.

Among the projections Rwanda seeks, for the very first time, to import up to 30 megawatts from Kenya. "We have signed all agreements with Kenya to import 30 megawatts right from end of last year, what is remaining is to have right interconnections to be able to import; We have also agreed with Uganda on transmission, we are working together to put up transmission lines; our deadline is next month, which means that by October we shall be able to import,” he said.

In the this fiscal year 2015/16, 83KM of National Paved Roads will be rehabilitated, 257.6 KM of unpaved roads will be upgraded to paved roads, 842.8 KM of National Roads will be maintained and 19.2 KM of roads will be constructed to support Private Sector Development.

38.1Km of Pedestrian walkways will also be constructed in this fiscal year and passenger shades to ensure pedestrian safety.

In the  fiscal year (2015/16), basic infrastructure in plots of 1,200 units for affordable housing in Ndera and Busanza will be put in place and  120,000 households living in scattered settlements will be resettled  and relocate 10,000 households living in high risk zones to Muhanga, Karongi and Nyamagabe.

193,789 households were supplied with clean water in rural areas and 19,716 people in urban areas. In the fiscal year 2015/16, 751KM of piped water systems in rural areas to serve 498,627 new households  with clean drinking water will be installed and 143Km of new pipes will be constructed in urban areas to serve 142,000 new households with clean drinking water and water production will be increased from 42,975,742 m3 /year to 47,613,822.

Sanitation services were improved where 62 schools were provided access to child-friendly sanitation facilities, 2 health centers were provided with improved source of water supply, and 29 public places including markets and bus terminals. 

The new Imihigo will also align to targets of Ministry agencies to ensure nothing is missed in the implementation process. Broadly, targets under Imihigo in the current financial year include plans to increase 70 megawatts of electricity to the national grid, take 5,000 households out of high risk zones, and ensure that all Rwandans have access roads and safe and clean drinking water.