On Friday, October 22, the Water and Sanitation Corporation Limited (WASAC) launched a 5-year project named ‘The Project for WASAC Utility Turnaround with KAIZEN Approach.’

The KAIZEN approach is in place to enhance WASAC’s capacity in strategic infrastructure planning and implementation of the Kigali Water Supply Master Plan.

The improvement of service and customer satisfaction, identifying gaps for cost-effective operation, tackling issues related to non-revenue water (NRW), improving the utility's financial management capacity through technical cooperation, experience sharing and learning.

This will be achieved by working with Japanese Experts.

To tackle some of the issues mentioned above, the project will assist WASAC to develop its new 5 years strategic plan.

Gisele Umuhumuza, the acting CEO of WASAC said that the institution is working on the improvement of water supply services in urban areas as a utility.

She says that the project culminates from the findings of the recently completed Kigali water supply masterplan which identified that towards the horizon of 2050, water demand of Kigali city will increase to 1,070,000 m3 in a day, close to 10 times.

Umuhumuza added that "if we are to achieve these ambitious targets by 2050 we have to work internally by recognizing our weakness and working on them especially in the areas of non-revenue water, strategic infrastructure planning, strategic services and customer satisfaction”

The KAIZEN approach is a Japanese term that means: "change for the better" or "continuous improvement.

The project is not only tackling the issue of non-revenue water but also identifying the gaps for cost-effective operations and improving WASAC’s financial management capacity through KAIZEN spirit, says Nagase Tomonori JICA’s Senior Representative.

Additionally, there is an ongoing grant aid project for strengthening the principal water transmission pipeline from Nzove Water Treatment Plant to Ntora Reservoir to increase access to safe drinking water in various parts of the City of Kigali.

Officials pose for a group photo after signing the MoU.

The Acting CEO of WASAC Gisele Umuhumuza addresses the event during the signing ceremony of  the MoU in Kigali on October 22.

The signing ceremony takes place at WASAC Nyarugenge branch.

The Acting CEO of WASAC Gisele Umuhumuza and Nagase Tomonori, the Senior Representative of JICA sign the MoU in Kigali on October 22.