Prime Minister Justin Nsengiyumva on Saturday, July 11, urged faster work on the Muvumba Multipurpose Dam Project, calling on the contractor to recover lost time.
The project, being implemented by Rwanda Water Resources Board (RWB) and constructed by Chinese firm Sinohydro, comprises a one-megawatt hydropower plant and an irrigation dam capable of irrigating 10,000 hectares of farmland.
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Construction is currently 61.5 per cent complete, below the planned target of 68.3 per cent at this stage.
During a visit to the project in Nyagatare District, the Prime Minister urged the contractor to make the most of the current dry season to speed up construction, adding that the government would support efforts to remove any bottlenecks affecting progress.
Officials at RWB attributed the shortfall mainly to heavy rains that disrupted critical works and say efforts are underway to recover from the delays during the current dry season.
Richard Nyirishema, the Executive Chairperson of RWB, said the project aims at addressing several long-standing development needs in Nyagatare District through a single integrated investment.
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"The project was initiated by the government with the intention of solving water accessibility challenges for the population. Secondly, it will support irrigation, thirdly it will produce hydropower, and fourthly it will help mitigate flooding,” he noted.
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Construction began in October 2023, with completion of the first phase expected in March 2027.
To regain lost time, the contractor has significantly strengthened operations on site.
"During this dry season, we have increased the number of staff and equipment. We have added 32 more trucks, bringing the total to 88 trucks supporting earthworks, and the Chinese company has also accepted to bring 10 more trucks," he said.
About 500 additional workers have also been deployed during the dry season to accelerate construction, according to RWB.
"We are trying to optimise execution of this first phase so that we can recover the delays," he said.
Irrigation, water supply and power
Beyond the dam and hydropower plant, Nyirishema said the project will significantly expand irrigation in eastern Rwanda. He noted that implementation of the irrigation scheme is expected to begin next year after conclusion of financing arrangements with the project&039;s lender.
Designs for the water supply component have already been completed in collaboration with WASAC, with implementation also planned to start next year.
"The intention is to complete all the components by 2029. We are still working with the Ministry of Finance to mobilise resources for the remaining irrigation phases so that the full 10,000 hectares can eventually be developed," he said.
Expropriation progresses
Nyirishema said land acquisition has been underway since 2021. He noted that RWB continues to work closely with Nyagatare District and local leaders to mobilise affected residents and resolve outstanding issues.
According to project figures, 797 households are affected by expropriation, of which 596 have already been expropriated.
The project will relocate 5,055 people. So far, 2,673 people have already been compensated, while compensation for the remaining 2,382 people is expected soon.