Kigali, 05 January 2018:During the end of year meeting, MININFRA Management and Staff applauded notable achievements in 2017 and pledged to do more in terms of infrastructure enhancement countrywide in the New Year of 2018.

The meeting was chaired by Minister of Infrastructure and saw the participation of Senior Management from Ministry and Agencies as well as staff. During this event new staff members, were welcomed and all staff commended for their significant efforts that enabled the Ministry of Infrastructure to achieve more in infrastructure sector.

Speaking at the event, Minister of Infrastructure, Hon. James Musoni urged staff to work towards achieving the set targets to achieve the country’s ambitions. He asked everyone to have a spirit of sacrifice and work hard for the benefit of our Country.

“You should work with determination, increase the level of patriotism, have sacrificial attitude and work towards achieving targets to reach big ambitions of our country”, Minister Musoni said.

The Planning Division Manager highlighted the key achievements of the Ministry in the year 2017 in four sectors.

In the energy sector, the access to electricity increased to 40.7% (29.7% on grid and 11% off-grid) by September 2017. In total of 250,506 households were connected, of which 107,603 households were connected to the grid and 142,903 off grid. Similarly, 270 productive use areas were connected; these included Schools, Markets, Health centers, Milk Collection Centers, Water pumping stations.

With regard to generation, 18.3MW were commissioned leading to the installed capacity of 208.3 MW from 190 MW.

Under water and sanitation sector, 597,799 population were supplied with clean water while 580 Km of water supply systems network were constructed (249 Km in urban and331 Km in rural). 

In water production, the volume of water production (m³) increased from 45,031,510m³ in 2015/2016 to 48,977,110m³in 2016/2017. The completion of construction of three water treatment plants of 2400m³/day each in the Districts of Nyanza, Nyagatare and Kayonza. Likewise, NZOVE II water plant was upgraded from 25,000 to 40,000m³/day and Construction of NZOVE I (40,000m³/day upgradable to 65,000m³/day) are almost complete (98%).

In relation to sanitation access, 162,731 households had access on improved sanitation facilities whilst three fecal sludge treatment plants and landfills in Nyanza, Kayonza and Nyagatare were constructed

As regard to land transport, 85Km of paved roads were constructed, 513km maintained and 526.4 Kms of feeder roads constructed to facilitate market access for rural farmers.

The financial year 2016-2017 was a success in air transportconsidering the substantial growth in terms of passenger numbers, Routes expansion, Airport expansion and upgrade. The airline saw passenger numbers grow to 747,761 passengers whereas fleet expanded to a total of 12 aircrafts and the number of destinations increased to 22 from 19.

There was also the operationalization of the Aviation Travel and Logistics Limited (ATL) with a target to fully operationalize Rwanda Airports Company Ltd (RAC) by March 2018 and work towards operationalizing Rwanda Links Logistics Ltd (RLL) and Rwanda Tours & Events Ltd (RTE).Lastly, the construction of Bugesera International Airport has started with a physical progress of 10%.

In the area of urban settlement planning, the master plan implementation audit was conducted in 12 Districts; the remaining districts are targeted this fiscal year 2017/18. The Building Permit Management Information System (BPMIS) was also deployed and operationalized in six secondary cities. It is also noted the implementation of Rwanda Urban Development Project (RUDP) started with a target to upgrade and develop 81Km of urban roads and standalone drainage systems (44Km) in the six Secondary cities.

In relation to rural settlement planning, there were 32,301households out of 40,000 planned relocated from scattered settlement to planned settlements and 2707 households relocated from high risk zones to planned settlements. A total of 319 dueling units have been completed in 30 Districts for of IDP Model Villages emulating Rweru model village.