Tour of the Project for Construction of Rusumo International Bridge and One Stop Border Post (OSBP) Facilities（23rd June, 2014）

(Left: Mr. Kameda, Chodai Corporation, explaining to Ambassador Ogawa, Hon. Lwakabamba, Minister of Infrastructure and others,　Right: Project staff welcoming Ambassador Ogawa on the new Rusumo International Bridge which is under constructionLeft: Ambassador Ogawa and Hon. Lwakabamba, Minister of Infrastructure arriving at Kirehe by helicopter,　Right: One Stop Border Facility under construction)

(Left: Mr. Kameda, Chodai Corporation, explaining to Ambassador Ogawa, Hon. Lwakabamba, Minister of Infrastructure and others,　Right: Project staff welcoming Ambassador Ogawa on the new Rusumo International Bridge which is under construction)

On 23rd, Ambassador Ogawa visited the site of the “Project for Construction of Rusumo International Bridge at the border between Rwanda and Tanzania. Hon. Silas Lwakabamba, Minister of Infrastructure, Hon. Stella Ford Mugabo, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Hon. Emma Francoise Isumbingabo, Minister of State in charge of Energy and Water, and Hon. Alexis Nzahabwanimana, Minister of State in charge of Transport, and Ms. Odette Uwamariya, the Governor of Eastern Province were also present.

The construction of the new Rusumo International Bridge through this project is expected to cope with increase of the traffic volume in the coming years. Also the introduction of an OSBP system will greatly improve the efficiency of cargo transportation with the end result of an increase of the physical distribution volume and a reduction of the transportation cost.

During the site tour, Ambassador Ogawa said this project would play a significant role in regional logistics not only for Rwanda but also for other countries in the East African Community and beyond, and he was very impressed to see the actual progress on the project.  Hon. Lwakabamba, Minister of Infrastructure said he expected the effectiveness of the bridge which will be completed this year, and thanked Japan for its contributions.

(Left: Ambassador giving his speech, Right: Hon. Lwakabamba, Minister of Infrastructure giving his speech)

Speech by Ambassador Ogawa

(Copy Right: JICA)

(Left: Current situation of the project site, Right:Rendering of OSBP at the Rwandan side)