Nyabihu substation
The Minister of Infrastructure Honorable Claver Gatete conducted 2 days’ visits to various infrastructure projects and other economic activities in the Northern and Western provinces.
The projects that were inspected include; Camp Belge substation in Musanze district, feeder roads, transmission lines, and substations in Nyabihu district plus urban roads, port, and methane gas power plant in Rubavu district.
On day one, part of the 93km feeder roads under the Nyabihu Feeder Roads project was inspected and the minister argued Rwanda Transport Development Agency (RTDA) and Nyabihu district authorities to make a close follow-up, engage contractors to speed up the construction of the roads, and bridges in this area. Once completed, transporting of milk products to the milk collection centers will be eased.
Urban roads in Rubavu district (5.8km)
Other activities inspected include; city roads and buildings that were affected by the recent earthquake as a result of the volcanic eruption. In short term, Minister emphasized quick repair of spots on roads affected by earthquakes and conducting a comprehensive study to rehabilitate the affected school, hospital, and Rubavu airport.
According to the Mayor of Rubavu district, Mr. Gilbert Habyarimana, 5.8km of the urban roads were fully completed and in good condition. City business activities are well conducted, easy and quick movement of goods and people and connectivity between city suburbs were improved; Mayor added.
The Lake Kivu Shema power plant of 56 MW was also inspected and the overall progress was at 60%. This is a methane gas project that is quite advanced with four floating barges, 19 generators installed and switchyard all completed. The first 14 MW of electricity will be commissioned in Dec 2021 and plan to complete the entire plant of 56 MW in August 2022.
In order to evacuate electricity from the Shema plant, Rwanda Energy Group (REG) has constructed an electricity substation next to the plant which is expected to be completed in November 2021 ahead of initial commissioning. The project has created jobs for the local workforce and the community respectively. The team further inspected the road Bralirwa – Marine and access road to Lake Kivu Shema energy plant under construction by a Joint-Venture of Fair Construction company and a Chinese company (China State Corporation & Engineering Construction). The road construction is completed except for two bridges which will be completed next month (October 2021).
Gihira Water Treatment Plant in Rubavu producing 23,000 cubic metres per day
Additionally, the delegates visited the port on Lake Kivu under construction in Rubavu. It is one of the four ports planned to be constructed along Lake Kivu and eases connectivity between Rubavu, Rutsiro, Rutsiro, and Karongi under grant financing from TradeMark East Africa and the government of the Netherlands. The construction works of the ports at Rubavu and Rusizi are at 10%, expected to be completed in August 2022, whereas the other two ports at Karongi and Rutsiro are in the procurement process.
Lastly, the recently completed Gihira water treatment plant in Rubavu (a modern plant constructed by the Culligan company) that produces 23,000 cubic meters of water was visited. It was upgraded from 8,000 m3 to 23,000 m3. This is more than the water demand in Rubavu and the installation of forwarding infrastructure in Rubavu town and surrounding areas will be completed in Oct 2021. The plant has a modern SCADA system and produces some of the materials used in the plant such as Chlorine. (End)