RUSIZI – The long-awaited rehabilitation of the Rusizi-Ntendezi-Mwityazo road and Crete Congo/Nil-Ntendezi road was launched, Monday, amid jubilations by residents of Rusizi and Nyamasheke districts.

The work was launched by the Minister of Infrastructure, Vincent Karega.

The road that connects Rwanda to Burundi through Rusizi will cost over Rwf10 billion while the construction of the Rubavu-Congo/Nil road will take over Rwf50 billion.

The construction kicked-off with 50km from Rusizi –Tyazo road to Rubavu, while work on the Bugarama road, leading to Burundi, will begin next week.

Two major bridges on the Congo and Rwandan border will also be reconstructed. Minister Karega called upon Rusizi and Nyamasheke residents to use the roads to boost tourism and trade beyond national borders.

He urged residents to invest in developmental activities since the poor roads which had been the major hindrance in the past have now been fixed.

"These two roads have critical advantages to the economy. If you fully utilize them, wealth will come your way,” said Karega.

The Governor of the Western Province, Celestin Kabahizi, called upon residents to be cooperative.

"If some of your property is destroyed during the road construction process, don’t take advantage to gain profits out of compensation,” said Kabahizi.

The rehabilitation of the Rwanda-Burundi highway road will take 18 months while the first half of the Rusizi-Ntendezi-Tyazo road (50km) will last for two months.

The launch took place at Hotel De-choutes.
Also present were the mayors of Rusizi and Nyamasheke districts; as well as representatives of Africa Development Bank, the financer of both projects; and China Road Company, the constructers.

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