Rusumo: It is essential to continue to strengthen the road infrastructure projects that have been built with the support of Japan, between Rusumo and Kayonza, passing through Kirehe and Ngoma, according to the Ambassador of Japan in Rwanda, Imai Masahiro.
“These are strategic and priority road infrastructures that have been built from the Rusumo bridge to Kayonza, passing through urban roads in the three districts of Kayonza, Ngoma and Kirehe, including the important Ngoma-Ramiro axis. These works require more maintenance so that they are sustainable and offer more good services. The important thing is that these works keep a good design, that the staff undergoes training that strengthens their capacities to keep these road projects in good condition so that they benefit the people of Rwanda. The World Bank considers these projects beneficial for improving trade within the EAC countries,” he said.
Ambassador Imai Masahiro made the remarks in Rusumo at the end of his visit to the three road projects, the new Rusumo project, and the one-stop window of the cross-border immigration post set up. These are all projects built with the support of Japan.
For Ambassador Imai Masahiro, trade between Rwanda and the DRC is huge for various reasons.
“We should revive and reactivate trade between Tanzania and Rwanda, and this is what the road projects financed by Japan are aiming for. We must not only build roads, but they must benefit from Japanese expertise, its software, staff training and various services,” he recommended.
For the Mayor of Kayonza, Jean-Bosco Nyemazi, the urban roads of this center reinforce trade and traffic, especially since many trucks and goods transit there. The center of Kabarondo benefited from the construction of a 1 km macadamized road in order to reduce the heavy traffic of goods trucks in this center. This often causes accidents.
The new segment of Kabarondo will link with the pathway to Akagera Park, for the purpose of providing hotel and ecotourism facilities in Kabale and Rwinkwavu.
For the Vice-Mayor of Economic Affairs of Ngoma, Cyriaque Nyiridandi Mapambano, the Ngoma-Ramiro section will help to reduce the cost of goods when it is completed.
“To get to Huye-Rusizi and DRC, the loaded truck from Dar-es-Salaam had to go through Kigali. Now it will go straight from Ngoma, Ramiro-Nyanza-Rusizi and RDC. While the 8.6 km urban roads of Ngoma will develop neighborhoods that will initiate other new income-generating economic activities, which will accelerate trade and development within the communities,” he noted.
Nyiridandi is delighted that the town of Ngoma has other macadamized roads instead of just one. The city actually grew.
“For the rest, we will leave directly from Ngoma to Bugesera and Nyanza passing through five sectors of Kibungo, Kazo, Gashanda, Sake and Rukumberi. Our region is fertile in agricultural products. The new road will allow them to flow. Investors have already bought land on our two lakes of Mugesera and Sake, in order to build hotels there. We are near the new Bugesera airport. Tourists will come by this new road to stay in hotels in Ngoma or go directly to tourist sites such as Akagera Park without having to go through Kigali. Our area is becoming more attractive and open to tourists thanks to this Ngoma-Ramiro road project,” he said.
Ms. Uwabeza Chadia is a 38-year-old mother of five. She holds a middle supermarket. She is delighted with the road projects that the city of Ngoma is putting in place.
“Undoubtedly, the development is in place. I live down this macadamized road which will shelter me from the dust. The installed staircase will prevent customers from parking in front of my supermarket. But the macadam saved me from the erosion waters that I suffered on several occasions,” she says.
Local resident Jean Nsabimana, also 38, says building the road gave him a job and money. He was able to improve his daily life, build a house and meet other household needs.
“The road has widened. I move freely, with more space without fear of being knocked down by passing vehicles,” he says.
For the Mayor of Kirehe, Bruno Rangira, this road infrastructure project is highly useful for the populations. It allows the customs services of Tanzania and Rwanda to work in one office while delivering fast services.
“A total of 300 local workers work daily at the Rusumo border post on both sides of the borders. Our district has reception facilities that receive travellers. This enhances our economy at the district and national level. We appreciate the cross-border cooperation with Tanzania,” said the Mayor of Kirehe.
Road infrastructure projects total $160 million in credit granted by Japan
The three road infrastructure projects under construction or completed reach a total of $160 million, according to the JICA Director in Rwanda.
“The first completed project is the construction of the Rusumo Bridge for $33 million. The second ongoing project is the Rusumo-Kayonza road worth $60 million. While the 3rd 52 Km project which has started is estimated at $67 million. This makes a total of $60 million. The road that connects Rusumo to Tanzania allows the transport of goods to Kigali, while the Ngoma-Ramiro road, then to Burundi and the DRC, will make traffic easier with the two neighboring countries. It is a road that generates benefits for local communities. It facilitates the movement of goods,” said the Director of JICA.
The Assistant Commissioner of the Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) at the Rusumo one-stop border post, Mrs. Yvonne Gatera, recognizes that the support of Japan to build the premises of this post is highly useful.
“It is thanks to this support that the four hour wait for trucks has been reduced to 30 minutes today. Three hundred trucks cross the border a day. The one-stop shop speeds up cross-border trade in Rusumo,” she said. (End)