Leadership of the neighboring localities of the Regional Rusumo Falls Hydroelectric Project visited the construction sites on December 14, 2022 to grasp the Project’s construction progress. The delegations included Burundi Governor of Muyinga Province, Mr. Jean-Claude Barutwanayo and Governor of Kirundo Province, Mr. Albert Hatungimana, the Executive Secretary of Rwanda Eastern Province, Dr Jeanne Nyirahabimana representing the Rwanda Eastern Province Governor and Kagera Region Commissioner, Hon. Albert John Chalamila.
The Regions’ leaders came along with Administrators of Giteranyi and Busoni Communes, Ngoma and Kirehe Districts’ Mayors and Ngara District Commissioner respectively. Immigration Offices of neighboring borders also accompanied the leaders, including Rusumo One-Stop Border Post and Kobero Border; as stakeholders in charge of cross-border and transboundary motives.
Leadership of neighboring localities surrounding the Akagera River upstream and downstream Rusumo Falls were keen to witness the terminal progress of the 80MW Power Plant.
The overall status of construction activities is now at a combined total of 97.9 %. Construction works are held along Rusumo Falls at the border of Rwanda and Tanzania, and substations are located in Nyakanazi for Tanzania, in Gitega and Muyinga for Burundi and Nyamata for Rwanda.
Visitors were taken to the dam and power intake site, then to the powerhouse where they visited the service bay and could see terminal works of the three units. The visitors proceeded visiting the switchyard located on Rwanda side.
Gathering administrators neighboring Kagera River was also an opportunity for regional interaction and enhanced good neighborhood also called ujirani mwema. This get-together nurtured cooperation and confidence building among leadership as they are instrumental to enhancing good relationship with the Project’s of the surrounding communities.
Kagera Regional Commissioner, Hon. Albert John Chalamila expressed his appreciation for the effort of the Project to take care of safety of surrounding communities while constructing the Plant. “I appreciate the Project gives employment opportunities to surrounding communities”, he added.
The Executive Secretary of Rwanda Eastern Province, Dr Jeanne Nyirahabimana stated that Shareholders’ citizens are keenly expecting to receive electricity from this Power Plant for sustainable development.
“We are glad that surrounding communities are benefiting from social infrastructure provided under the framework of the Regional Rusumo Falls Hydroelectric Project”, she said.
The Governor of Muyinga Province appreciated the visit that gathered local leadership of Shareholder countries, Rwanda and Burundian counterparts. “This shows that in addition to the expected regional electricity and socio-economic benefits of the local area, the Project also enhances regional cooperation as well as support to sustainable development” he added.
Administrators of the localities benefited from the USD 15 Million Local Area Development Plan (LADP) designed to enhance socio-economic development of Rusumo riparian communities as an extended program related to the construction of the Power Plant; each province and district benefited USD 5 million to establish social infrastructure projects.
LADP Burundi benefited in Giteranyi Commune of Muyinga Province constructed Bugoma Health Center, Ruzo Youth Training Center, constructed Giteranyi Commune Headquarter Offices and Busoni Commune of Kirundo constructed Murore Youth training Center and Rugando Health Center.
LADP Rwanda in Eastern Province, in Ngoma District constructed 28,7 km of mixed water pipeline of Gatonde-Gahima cells and built 33km of Gituku-Murama water supply system and rehabilitated 9.54 km in Kigabiro – Rurenge –Gatore feeder road; Kirehe District Kirehe District constructed Kigina Health Center and rehabilitated 30km of Cyagasenyi-Gasarabwayi-Nganda feeder road in Kigarama Musaza sectors in Kirehe District.
LADP Tanzania in Ngara District rehabilitated water systems in 4 villages (Mshikamano, Kasulo, Rwakalemela and Kasharazi), constructed Rusumo water supply scheme, Remela Vocational Training Centre and supported education sector in rehabilitating primary and secondary schools.
The 80MW transboundary hydropower project is implemented by NELSAP on behalf of Rusumo Power Company Limited (RPCL). The associated three transmission lines are implemented by respective Shareholders Utilities in interface with NELSAP Project on behalf of the implementer.
