The Ministry of Infrastructure, in collaboration with the City of Kigali, has officially launched a project called ‘Mpazi’ aimed at renovating housing in Gitega Sector of Nyarugenge District, which will leave the same level of activities as those in Biryogo in Nyamirambo Sector.
It is a project that will work in the Gitega, Muhima and Kimisagara sectors on an area of 137 hectares. Its activities include the repair of a part of the Ruhurura of Mpazi and the construction of other ruhurura; construction of 8.2 kilometers of roads and 9.3 kilometers of attractive pedestrian paths.
Playgrounds will be developed, including the Maison des Jeune Kimisagara football field and the Gitega schools’ volleyball and basketball fields. There will also be a market that will help the people find their place of residence and the offices of the Kora Cell and the Children’s Shelter in this Cell.
The foundation stone laying ceremony will be part of the implementation of this project which took place on February 15, 2023 in Gitega Sector, Nyarugenge District.
The Mayor of Kigali City, Pudence Rubingisa, said that the project will be carried out in areas known to have slums and dilapidated housing that makes it difficult to provide basic infrastructure, but that these problems will be solved.
The head of the World Bank in Rwanda, Rolande Pryce, said that he is happy that the organization he represents is a partner in this project.
He said that this is the second project that the World Bank is going to participate in and that the first one was done in ‘Agatare’ in Nyamirambo Sector, which brought changes in the lives of the people as a result of improved roads, lighting, water pipes, security etc.
He added that the opportunity that was in the first project, such as the fact that the people got many jobs, will be available in the second project and will continue in the six cities of Kigali [Muhanga, Huye, Rusizi, Rubavu, Musanze and Nyagatare] in another phase.
Among the goals that Rwanda has given through the seven-year plan to accelerate development (NST1) from 2017 to 2024, include improving housing to an average of 34%; it is now up to 30%.
About 65% of the people in Rwanda have inadequate housing which is the reason for such projects as announced by the Minister of Infrastructure, Dr Nsabimana Ernest.
He said, “The more housing is developed, the faster the development. The goal by 2050 is that urban development will reach 70%. This project will transform the living environment.”
“There are parts in Kigali City where it is very difficult to find where people go to work. When there is a problem getting people to help is not easy. It’s a way to rehabilitate those homes and include roads, electricity, water supply, pedestrian paths, sanitation and hygiene, all of which are included in this project.”
Apart from Gitega Sector in Nyarugenge District, similar activities will also reach Gatenga in Kicukiro District, Nyagatovu and Nyabisindu in Remera Sector of Gasabo District.
Minister Dr Nsabimana asked the people who are going to be involved in the activities of this project to be aware of it and to be vigilant to the government through monitoring the work being done and making sure that their goals are respected.
He said, “Some projects like this have been done and people go back and destroy them, they destroy the boilers and water pipes and sell the equipment.”
The money that will be invested in this project is about 24 billion Rwandan francs, including 6.5 billion Frw that will be used to provide grants for the activities of the people who will be affected.
It includes the loans that other governments have received in different ways that must be paid, including those that the government puts in, as Dr. Ndabimana continued to explain.
So far, 70% of the affected properties have been completed, while others are waiting to meet the requirements to be paid in order for the project to continue.
