Construction activities at the newly proposed Kigali Golf Course on a wetland in Nyarutarama, Kigali have resumed after the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) rescinded its earlier decision to suspend the works for 30 days over environmental concerns.

But Kigali Golf Club still paid the Rwf5 million for having flouted the watchdog’s guidelines concerning the project.

Remy Duhuze, the director of environment regulations and pollution control unit at REMA, had, on August 22, instructed that works on the proposed course be suspended following a site visit during which he said Kigali Golf Club had not respected the watchdog’s guidelines – that had been informed by an environmental impact assessment report.

Speaking to The New Times, on Tuesday, Richard Gakuba, the president of the Kigali Golf Club, said REMA’s inspection and subsequent suspension of works had been instigated by residents around the area.

"The suspension was a response to people’s complaints, and the fact that we imported reddish soil to elevate some areas of the course, which was against the regulations,” he said.

He admitted that part of the soil was compacted in a wetland reserve, which would block the flow of rainwater.

"We were penalised and have since agreed on the way forward,” he said, adding that no huge loss was encountered during the suspension of works.

"Speaking from an environmental perspective, the course is expected to actually support greening.

Understandably, people had to complain because they had no idea about what is going on and REMA had to respond as well but everything has since been sorted out,” he added.

The suspension was lifted after Kigali Golf Club agreed to clear the red soil from the protected portions of the wetland.

The works on the country club project are being undertaken by All Africa Golf Construction Company, which was subcontracted by NAS Investments, with the latter having reached a deal with Rwanda Golf Union to put up the proposed 18-hole Kigali Golf Club course that would include a new luxury golf country club.

The project is expected to be completed by September 2016.

The imported red soil was meant to help solidify the terrain and make it water resistant, which would ensure the course is fit for games even within two hours after heavy rains, Gakuba said.

Meanwhile, Duhuze warned against wetland encroachment saying the long hand of the law would catch up with encroachers.

He said REMA would intensify its inspections.

The official, however, said there are certain businesses that won’t be forced to relocate immediately. These include businesses that are still operating from the Gikondo industrial area, La Palisse Hotel Nyandungu and Bambino Super City, a recreational centre.

"There are some businesses that acquired construction permits and other relevant documents long before the current legal instruments on environmental protection came into force, for those ones it might take time, we have to be a little patient,” Duhuze said.

The factories in the industrial area are supposed to relocate to the Kigali Special Economic Zone in Nyandungu, Gasabo District, where construction of eight light factories has recently been completed with works on five heavy manufacturing plants ongoing.

The relocation of businesses in Gikondo industrial park is expected to be completed by end 2016.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw