Renovation of 23 spring catchments was officially completed today in Muhanga, 70 km south of the capital Kigali. The opening ceremony was attended by the minister of water and mines, accompanied by the ICRC head of delegation, the governor of Western Province, the mayor of Muhanga District, local authorities and people from the Kiyumba, Kibangu, Nyabinoni and Rongi Sectors.
The ICRC and the Muhanga District authorities launched the project in September 2006. It has given a major boost to the living conditions of the 3,200 people living in the area. “Improving access to clean water and improving sanitation are the key objectives,” said Tobias Epprecht, head of the ICRC delegation in Kigali.
The project has increased total water production capacity to 609 cubic metres per day, with each spring yielding 26 cubic metres a day. This was a joint project involving the local community, local authorities and the ICRC.
To ensure sustainable management and efficient operation of the newly renovated system, the ICRC helped set up monitoring committees in the four districts, and provided them with technical and accounting resources.
Earlier this year, the ICRC opened a water supply project in Kabaya and the organization plans to run five further projects, covering all four provinces and the city of Kigali. Estimates are that 63,000 people will benefit.
For further information, please contact:
Georgia Trismpioti, ICRC Kigali, tel: +250 577344 or +250 0830 5069
