The Government of Rwanda will exercise oversight to ensure the successful implementation of the High Priority Investment (HPI), remarked Patrick Karera, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Environment (MoE) May, 9th 2022.
The Permanent Secretary made assurance during the signing ceremony of the Project Funding Agreement (PFA) for the Kigali Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant to be implemented by Rwanda’s Utility Agency – Water and Sanitation Corporation (WASAC) in Rwanda’s capital city, Kigali.
The Project Funding Agreement was applauded by the MoE’s Permanent Secretary as actualization of Directive of the 21st Sectoral Council of Ministers for Lake Victoria Basin (21st SECOM) to the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) on fast-tracking the implementation of HPIs in EAC Partner States.
“The HPI in Rwanda will increase the coverage of sanitation services in Kigali. It will also reduce pollution of River Nyabarongo – a tributary of River Kagera,” noted the MoE’s Permanent Secretary.
Opening the signing ceremony, Eng. Coletha Ruhamya, the Deputy Executive Secretary of LVBC referred to the signing as a major milestone towards physical investments of HPIs in Kigali, Rwanda.
She congratulated Rwanda’s readiness to implement the project and added that similar regional initiatives are about to kick off in Mwanza (United Republic of Tanzania), Kisumu (Kenya), Kampala (Uganda).
“Rwanda plays a crucial role in the regional initiatives for sustainable management of environment of Lake Victoria Region through High Level Decision-making Forums, the Regional Policy Steering Committee and implementation of projects with regional scope and environmental impacts,” Deputy Executive Secretary observed.
She noted the project’s alignment with priorities of the EAC Development Strategy and LVBC Strategic Plan (2022-2026) and its consistence with Rwanda’s long term development agenda – Vision 2050 implemented through a medium term National Strategy for Transformation (NST1, 2017-2024) as well as the Green Growth and Climate Resilience Strategy.
She registered and lauded the unwavering support from the Republic of Rwanda in supporting the Commission’s operations and projects and financial support from the Federal Republic of Germany, the KfW and the European Union.
The acting CEO of the WASAC, Gisèle Umuhoza applauded the partnership with LVBC and the funding partners. “The partnership and the support aligns with Rwanda’s water and sanitation development priorities.”
She also pointed out how the investment will fuel existing Rwanda’s initiatives related to the promotion of recovery and integrated water resources management. WASAC’s CEO expressed institution’s commitment for “faster implementation and learning from the process to inform future interventions.” She extended appreciations to funding partners and the MoE’s contributions towards the project initiation process.
Head of Cooperation, Germany Embassy in Rwanda, Phillip Taflinski, commended the project as evidence of the existing cooperation between the Federal Republic of Germany and the EAC/LVBC anchored on sustainable urbanization, green growth and climate resilience. He also pointed out the project’s potential impacts to Rwanda and Lake Victoria Basin region.
The Representative of the EU to the meeting, Luis Navarro, highlighted the strategic and operational importance of Integrated Water Resources Management to the development of Lake Victoria Region. “The Kigali Faecal Sludge investment will contribute to resilience of Kigali City and River Nyabarongo,” EU delegate noted.
The Director of KfW in Kigali congratulated Rwanda for being the first country to sign the Project Funding Agreement. “KfW will be a reliable partner on ground to contribute towards effective implementation,” Charlotte Povel remarked.
The Kigali Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant Project aims at reducing wastewaters (untreated effluents) flowing into the Lake Victoria through regional river systems in EAC Partner States. At a regional level, the completion of the Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant in Kigali is expected to improve water quality and availability in Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. According to Mukubwa Arsene, the Regional Programme Coordinator, Faecal Treatment Plant to be based in Masaka outskirts of Kigali, will ease the disposal of liquid wastes and complement Kigali Waste Management Master Plan implementation. The project is expected to be completed by 2025 and it is an integral part of the regional wide Lake Victoria Basin Integrated Water Resources Management Programme (LVB IWRM).