HUYE- Users of Mamba-Mpare road in Tumba Sector have reason to smile after the formerly dark stretch of the road received lighting courtesy of the Institute of Scientific and Technological Research (IRST).

The street lighting project was launched last Friday, by Jean Baptist Nduwayezu, the IRST director General, as part of the community outreach programme.

On the same day, the institute inaugurated a modern library block and a museum highlighting research on ethnicity during the colonial period.

"All of our activities aim at uplifting the living standards of ordinary Rwandans,” Nduwayezu said. "This public lighting project is meant to ensure security of the road users especially at night.”

Fidel Ndayisaba, the governor of the Southern province hailed the efforts of IRST in addressing the problems of those within its vicinity and Rwandans in general.

"With these activities geared at serving the community, IRST should be a model for other institutions to emulate,” he said.

Christine Gasinzigwa, an official from the Ministry of Education in charge of scientific research and technology, also hailed IRST’s effort in community service.

"Research activities that only remain in books without providing solutions to problems faced by local communities have no place in our development agenda,”she noted.  
Theophile Ndayisenga, a resident in Mpare cell, welcomed the assistance by IRST, saying the problem faced by pedestrians in the area had been solved.

"The road passes through a jungle, it has been risky to move freely unaccompanied especially in the evening hours; the lighting project will enable people to move freely,” Ndayisenga said.

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