RPCL Corporate Social Responsibility Program
NELSAP Rusumo Project have identified communities surrounding Project sites as priority stakeholders. The Project, through various initiatives, is developing good relationships with the local communities around the Power Plant. In parallel, RPCL is preparing to develop a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program to step in Project’s community engagement efforts.
CSR is a good approach to sustainable hydropower operations which ties strong links between the operator and the local community and partnership of mutual benefits on a social and environmental level. It is worthy to mention that when RPCL will take over the powerplant from the Project, it will employ a significant number of people from within the local communities and contribute significantly to the local economy through the procurement of goods and services.
This is important partnering is already established links within the communities which developed a sense of trust. The initial work involved explaining the long-term benefits and impacts of the project and establishing understanding within the community that they are an integral part of the power plant operations. Small projects may be undertaken within the communities to demonstrate that the plant will bring positive changes and that the company / community bond is important.
RPCL’s CSR will sustain partnership with their local communities with a certain commitment and contribution to sustainable development. RPCL will integrate its company’s values and contribute to a better Rusumo social society and cleaner environment as a socially responsible company which will not only ensure returns to shareholders, wages to employees, and products and services to consumers. It will also respond to societal concerns and values of Rusumo communities regarding the social, economic and environmental development of the system in place in Rusumo area.