Stakeholder Engagement Meeting with Local Leaders of Rwanda Eastern Province, Tanzania Kagera Region and Burundi Kirundo and Muyinga Provinces on January 25, 2022
Administrators of the localities neighboring the Regional Rusumo Falls Hydroelectric Project visited the construction sites on January 25, 2022 to appreciate 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 Rwanda Governor of Eastern Province, CG Gasana K. Emmanuel Gasana and the Regional Commissioner, Col. Charles Mbuge. The Regions’ leaders were accompanied respectively by Administrators of Giteranyi and Busoni Communes, Ngoma and Kirehe Districts’ Mayors and Ngara District Commissioner. Immigration Offices of respective shareholders also visited through border offices of Rusumo One-Stop Border Post and Kobero Border as stakeholders in charge of cross-border and transboundary motives.
L-R: Governor of Muyinga Province (Bdi), Governor of Eastern Province (Rda), Governor of Kirundo Province (Bdi) and Regional Commissioner, Kagera Region (Tz)
These are administration leaders of localities neighboring the affluent Akagera River upstream and downstream Rusumo Falls where the construction of the 80MW Power Plant that will increase supply of electricity to the national grids of Burundi, Rwanda and Tanzania. Constructions are being along and on lands surrounding 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. The overall status of construction activities is now at a combined total of 86% and expected to complete along the end of this year.
Administrators of the localities are important stakeholders of Rusumo Project as they benefit from Local Area Development Plan (LADP), a US Dollars 15 Million benefit sharing program designed to enhance regional economic and social development in Rusumo area as an extended program related to the construction of the Power Plant. Each country received USD 5 million to construct social infrastructures that are expected to improve livelihoods and promote socially sustainable outcomes of the riparian citizens of the affected districts.
LADP Burundi benefited USD 5 million to enhance socio-economic impact in Giteranyi Commune/ Muyinga Province; they constructed Bugoma Health Center, Ruzo Youth Training Center, constructed Giteranyi Commune Headquarter Offices and has worked on Ruzo soil protection along Akagera river. Busoni Commune constructed Murore Youth training Center, Rugando Health Center.
LADP Rwanda received USD 5 million to contribute to development of Ngoma and Kirehe Districts of the Eastern Province. Kirehe District constructed Kigina Health Center and rehabilitated 30km of Cyagasenyi-Gasarabwayi-Nganda feeder road in Kigarama Musaza sectors in Kirehe District. 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.
LADP Tanzania received USD 5 million to develop Ngara District of Kagera region and 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 Regional Rusumo Falls Hydroelectric Project added more funds to implement a second phase of LADP for which each country will contribute to socio-economic development of their respective districts in building social infrastructures to improve riparian citizens livelihoods”, says Rusumo Project Communication Officer. “The project has noted that the first phase of LADP has positively impacted riparian communities in Busoni and Giteranyi Communes in Burundi, in Ngoma and Kirehe Districts in Rwanda as well as Ngara District in Tanzania, she added.
Gathering administrators neighboring Rusumo watercourse also provided a regional forum to enhance good neighborhood also known as ujirani mwema and nurture cooperation among project stakeholders. The jamboree also enhances building trust among Project stakeholders. After the site visit, the administrators were received at the powerhouse residential campsite located in Rusumo area in Tanzania at 5km from Tanzania border.
The Governor of Muyinga Province of Burundi expressed, on behalf of the delegation, appreciated the progress of the construction which will soon respond to electricity demand of his country. “The social infrastructures built under LADP phase 1 are also changing livelihoods of Giteranyi and Busoni residents”, said Mr. Jean-Claude Barutwanayo. For example, the newly built healthcare facilities Bugoma health center in Giteranyi and Mugano health center brought healthy environment to their neighborhood because development of our place depends on good health of our community members”, he added.
The Governor of Muyinga Province (Bdi), Mr. Jean-Claude Barutwanayo (L) pausing with Governor of Eastern Province (Rw), Governor and Regional Commissioner, Kagera Region (Tz) at Rusumo Project construction site on Jan 25, 2022
The Rwanda Governor of Eastern Province, CG Gasana K. Emmanuel Gasana commended the Project for the construction works being held at Rusumo Falls and the Shareholders’ effort to increase electricity capacity of their countries with the much expected 80 MW Power Plant. “We hope the Project will ensure continuous attention on environmental protection of Akagera River upstream and downstream and maintain the natural flow of the river and protect the natural environment in general”, he added.
The Governor of Rwanda Eastern Province, CG Gasana K. Emmanuel Gasana, Mayor of Kirehe District, Mr Bruno Rangira and Mayor of Ngoma District Mrs. Nathalie Niyonagra and and staff in visit to the 80MW Rusumo Power Plant on 25th Jan, 2022
Kagera Regional Commissioner, Major Gen Charles Mbuge expressed his gratitude for the effort of the Project to bring his neighbors in Rusumo area. “It is my great pleasure to be seated here with my Rwanda and Burundian counterparts under the framework of the Regional Rusumo Falls Hydroelectric Project”, he stated. 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.
The Regional Commissioner of Kagera Region, Major Gen Charles Mbuge addressing his remarks after visit to the 80MW Rusumo Power Plant on 25th Jan, 2022
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 the implementer.
