Japan and Rwanda sign a 1.013 Billion Japanese Yen Grant Aid for the Project for Rural Water Supply (Phase III) in the Eastern Province (March 5, 2015)
(Left: Signing of the Exchange of Notes, Right: Ambassador Ogawa and Minister Gatete after signing)
(Three Phases of the Project for Rural Water Supply) (Provided by JICA)
On 5th March, Japan and Rwanda signed a 1.013 Billion Japanese Yen (about 9 Million USD) Grant Aid for the Project for Rural Water Supply (Phase III) to promote the Government of Rwanda's efforts to increase access to clean and safe water on 5th March.
This Grant Aid targets three sectors in three districts in the Eastern Province, namely Rukira Sector of Ngoma District, Murama Sector of Kayonza District, and Remera Sector of Gatsibo District. The fund will be used in such activities as constructing piped water supply systems and capacity building of operation staff and technicians.
H.E. Mr. Kazuya Ogawa, Ambassador of Japan, said that, upon completion of the project, more than 33 thousand residents in the targeted areas will have access to clean and safe drinking water which will allow women more time to engage in different income generating activities as well as provide more time for the children to study as it will enable them to reduce the time spent on water fetching. He also insisted that, with the two previous phases of the project for Rural Water Supply, which Japan launched eight years ago, this project will contribute to increase access to safe and clean water in the Eastern Province where water supply service still needs to be improved.
Hon. Claver Gatete, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, expressed the Government of Rwanda’s gratitude to the Government of Japan for its continuous support mentioning various past and on-going projects including the “Project for Development of Irrigation Scheme in Ngoma District,” the “Project for Construction of Rusumo International Bridge and One Stop Border Post Facilities,” and the support in energy and education sectors. He mentioned that this assistance is in line with one of the key targets of the Second Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy, which is 100% access to clean and safe water.
As the lead development partner in Water and Sanitation sector, in addition to this rural water supply project, Japan is providing the technical cooperation project entitled “Strengthening Operation and Maintenance of Rural Water Supply Systems” through JICA. Also, it has supported the construction of two facilities of water supply under its Grant Assistance for Grassroots and Human Security Projects (GGP) for relatively smaller size of installations. Furthermore, members of Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCVs) who make up the Water Security Action Team, or W-SAT, have been actively engaged in such activities as water supply facility maintenance and hygiene promotion in the Easter Province.