HUYE-The Energy, Water and Sanitation Authority (EWSA) has vowed to increase the number of people with access to clean and safe water.

Yussuf Uwamahoro, the EWSA Deputy Director General in charge of Energy, mentioned that the target is to ensure that 100 percent of all Rwandan population access clean water by 2017.

He was speaking Saturday during the Accountability Day in Huye District, where EWSA showcased its achievements and targets.

The clients provided feedback on the services they receive and offered suggestions on how these could be improved.

Uwamahoro noted that currently, over 80 percent of the Rwandan population has access to clean and safe water.

"At present, there are many projects to bring clean water in various parts of the country. We are convinced that we will meet our target in the next six years,” Uwamahoro said.

He observed that an increase in the number of people accessing clean water would also improve hygiene and sanitation standards.

In a bid to improve hygiene, EWSA also plans to build over 570 public toilets countrywide while 16,000 others will be built to benefit the most vulnerable families. The institution will also construct 102 rain water harvest tanks nationwide.

He added that the population will also be sensitised on how toilets should be safely put up to ensure cleanliness.

Vedaste Murwanashyaka, a resident of Mbazi Sector, commended the institution for improvement in its services but requested that access to clean water be prioritised.

"Though electricity is needed and plays an important role in the development of rural areas, more emphasis should be put on increasing the number of people with access to clean water, especially in rural areas where some residents are still using unsafe water,” Murwanashyaka appealed.

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