The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Infrastructure Fidele Abimana and Isao Fukushima, the Ambassador of Japan to Rwanda on Wednesday, March 20, inaugurated the recently completed Nzove - Ntora principal water transmission pipeline which is the largest in the country.

Among others present were Omar Munyaneza, the Chief Executive Officer of Water and Sanitation Corporation (WASAC) Group, Minako Shiotsuka, Chief Representative of JICA and other dignitaries.

The inauguration of this new pipeline spanning 9.357 kilometers enables supply water to the Ntora reservoir at a capacity of 53,000 m3 per day, up from 37,000 m3.

The pipeline will increase water access for residents in different parts of Kigali which include, Gisozi, Batsinda, Gasanze, Kagugu, Gacuriro, Kibagabaga, Kinyinya, Nduba, Nyarutarama and so many other places.

Funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the project received a substantial grant of $22 million equivalent to Rwf28.3 billion, making it the biggest grant Japan has given to Rwanda in the water sector.

The Nzove Water treatment plant has a production capacity of 120,000 m3 of water daily.

However, due to pipe limitations, it currently provides 73,000 m3 daily, with the potential to increase to 80,000 m3.

The project is going to be followed by the newly initiated project for improvement of water supply services in North - Central Kigali. This project aims to reduce non-revenue water, manage pressure, install intermediate tanks, lay distribution pipelines, and connect new customers.

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Japan has been supporting the government of Rwanda in the water sector through JICA, focusing on strengthening water supply infrastructure, reducing non-revenue water, and maintaining rural water supply systems through grant aid, technical cooperation, and training for WASAC Group.

Fukushima said the two countries have steadfastly enhanced bilateral ties for more than 60 years.

"Over the course of the long history of our cooperation, Japan has provided a wide range of assistance at every corner of this country. The assistance in the area of water is not the exception,” Fukushima said, adding that however much the government is making efforts to achieve 100 per cent water access for the people, there are still many people left behind.

He said: "Even though water transmission pipelines are laid, these cannot stand for the high-water pressure caused by the geographical condition and water is leaking out. It is reported that the non-revenue water rate is estimated at about 40 per cent, only 60 per cent of water reaches the people.”

"In response to the situation, Japan, through JICA, has supported WASAC Group to develop the master plan – Water supply master plan for Kigali city to improve water supply and sewerage in Kigali since 2021,” he noted.

In the context of Japan’s development cooperation, the country has led human-centered cooperation for decades based on the philosophy of "Human Security” which focuses on the well-being of individuals by "Protection”, "Empowerment” and "Solidarity” to create a society, where people can live in dignity, free from fear or lack hence, access to safe and sufficient water reduces people’s fear of disease and scarcity, that aligned with the philosophy of "Human Security”.

Munyaneza, the Chief Executive Officer of WASAC Group, said that water rate stands at 82.3% nationwide, with Kigali city above 90 % and the newly inaugurated pipeline increased water access rate.

"We are working hard to ensure adequate water access. We are installing new water supply systems and plants to rehabilitate old water treatment plants, starting with the Nzove 1 WTP.’

"The rehabilitation of Nzove I WTP will restore water production capacity to 40,000 m3 per day, from the current 13,000 m3, benefiting various parts of Kigali city, such as Remera, Kibagabaga, Kinyinya among others.

"We are committed to ensuring adequate water access for all,” he noted.

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Jean-Chrysostome Munyansanga, a resident in Nduba Sector and one of the project’s beneficiaries said that the initiative arrived just in time as the area had long endured water scarcity, leading many to believe they would never have access to water.

He explained that water scarcity had caused school dropouts as fetching water became a profit-making job.

Munyansanga expressed gratitude for the initiative but emphasized the need for extending the supply to other nearby areas still facing water scarcity.

Minako Shiotsuka highlighted that the newly inaugurated project is a benefit to the people, emphasizing that JICA’s main mission is to work on human security focusing on the well-being of individuals.

"Safe water is the source of life and protects people from sanitation and hygiene problems. I am happy to hear that it has addressed the problem of school dropouts in some areas,” she said.

She commended the collaboration between Japanese contractors, who closely worked with local contractors. "I have no doubt that locals gained practical skills and quality work experience through the project, contributing to capacity development.”