Rwanda Plumbers Organisation (RPO) has officially launched its activities with a mission of promoting possible best practices of the plumbing industry in Rwanda.

It also aims at creating awareness among Rwandan plumbers at both national and international level on residential, commercial and industrial plumbing.

The organisation, which is a chapter of the Institute of Engineers Rwanda and a member of World Plumbing Council, is set to do so via capacity building development and development of national and international collaboration with other plumbing associations and other related professions.

During an open day event that took place at IPRC Kigali on October 21, Jean Claude Twagirimana, Chairman of RPO, tackled some of the programs the organisation is planning to deliver to enhance the skills of local plumbers and ensure that they deliver best practices.

These include promoting the establishment of plumbing licensing programs, establishing annual plumbing business and education programs, promoting development and use of national plumbing code of conduct and standard, developing local, regional and international partnership of plumbing professionals, and promoting community improvement for water, sanitation and hygiene services.

Twagirimana also mentioned that they seek to train 1500 plumbers, 500 trainers and establish a training centre of excellence by 2027.

Tackling challenges, he said plumbers were not getting an opportunity to either enhance or update their skills, thus failing to cope with new technologies, adding that it was hard for people to get a trustable plumber, but since a body has launched, they will know where to find them and it will also be easier for plumbers to get jobs.

Twagirimana said they are set to help plumbers get licenced as well as advocate for their national and international acknowledgement.

Alexandrine Mukandayisenga, a professional plumber, recently joined RPO and is now working as its Secretary.

She said she linked with the organisation to work with other plumbers so that they can be recognised and value their profession more.

She is glad that those who were doing plumbing just for survival will be able to join RPO and learn about plumbing code, helping them to do decent work and in a professional way.

Mukandayisenga said they will also be able to improve their skills, adding that currently, they have registered over 100 members.

Jean Bosco Karangwa is another member of RPO. He said that since 2014, he has been doing plumbing even though he doesn’t have academic qualifications.

To him, being part of the organisation is important since members are able to exchange ideas and knowledge; those who learned plumbing helping them in skills development, and field-based practitioners assisting in understanding challenges that are on field and how they can be solved.

Karangwa also declared that they need licenses to help them earn trust to work on big projects that benefit the country.

He urged other plumbers to join RPO and work with fellows, hence benefitting from what the organisation is set to offer.