Kigali, 22 March 2018: The Government of Rwanda and the Government of Japan have signed a financing loan of $ 68 million for Ngoma-Ramiro Road (Eastern Province) Upgrading Project. The financing deal was signed by H.E. Mr. Takayuki Miyashita, Ambassador of Japan to Rwanda, and Amb. Claver Gatete, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, while the Minister of State in charge of Transport, Eng. Jean de Dieu Uwihanganye, the Chief Representative of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Rwanda, Mr. Hiroyuki Takada, the Director General of Rwanda Transport Development Agency (RTDA), Eng. KALISA M. Guy witnessed the signing of the agreement.

This project will upgrade and pave the unpaved National Road 6 between Ngoma and Ramiro (53km). Combined with the route between Kibugabuga and Gasoro, which is being financed by the World Bank, the entire road between Ngoma , Bugesera and Nyanza (120 km) will be completely upgraded.

The project will entail developing the road’s carriage capacity and link it to both the Central and Northern corridors.

The road is also expected to serve as a by-pass for cargo transport from Dar es Salaam Port to Kigali, according to officials.

Minister Amb.Gatete said that this road will result into increased cross-border trade, as well as make Rwandan traders and exports more competitive in the region.

“The funds will specifically be used to upgrade and pave the unpaved road segment between Ngoma and Bugesera – covering about 53 kilometres” said Ambassador Gatete”

He underscored that the total budget is available. “The next activity is the construction works and I hope that the project will be completed within two years,” he said.

“The road is of regional importance since it connects Rwanda to neighbouring countries such as Burundi and DR Congo”, he added.

According to Amb. Miyashita, the project is expected to benefit the local communities by boosting local employment and improving social services, including education and health as well as facilitating sustainable trade.

 “Japan has been supporting Rwanda on various projects, including the construction of Rusumo International Bridge, as well as One Stop Border Post (OSBP) facilities meant to reduce the cost of doing businesses and make border procedures more efficient,” he said.

The Director General of RTDA,Eng. Guy Kalisa said that they are well prepared to start construction works as the expropriation process also gets underway. He said there are 68 households yet to be relocated. He said that construction works will start by next fiscal year 2018/2019.

The Chief Representative of JICA in Rwanda, Mr Takada Hiroyuki said that the project has many benefits for people of Eastern and Southern Provinces, it will link Rwanda with regional countries and the Ramiro-Ngoma road is expected to ease transportation of goods from different parts of the country to Kigali City and elsewhere. It will also help with integration in Africa as Heads of States have signed the Continental Free Trade Area agreements”.