Rwandan President Paul Kagame has raised concerns over the incomplete execution of the Muvumba Multipurpose Water Resources Development Program, a project intended to provide irrigation for crops and deliver clean water to residents of Nyagatare District.
During a meeting with central and local government leaders, Kagame questioned Eastern Province Governor Prudence Rubingisa about why only one component of the project had been implemented. He noted that poor planning and project management often result in incomplete or poorly executed initiatives.
The Muvumba project, which was designed to combine irrigation and water supply for residents, has so far only seen progress on the irrigation component, while the water distribution segment was not implemented. Kagame asked how a project intended to deliver multiple benefits could achieve its goals when part of it is neglected.
Governor Rubingisa explained that the project’s planning had not been properly prepared, which led to focus on irrigation while the water supply component was overlooked. She acknowledged the oversight, noting that although irrigation infrastructure was completed, water delivery to residents in the sector and neighboring areas was not addressed.
The president expressed concern that leaders could overlook critical aspects of projects meant to benefit citizens, stressing that every initiative should yield tangible results. He further suggested that this is the right time to revisit and improve the project’s planning, emphasizing the importance of coordination and communication among stakeholders in major projects.
The Muvumba Multipurpose Water Resources Development Program was expected to improve access to clean water, increase agricultural productivity through irrigation, provide electricity, deliver water to households, and mitigate floods along the Muvumba River.
The project, initially funded at 55 million cubic meters, aimed to provide at least 50,000 cubic meters of clean water, generate 1 megawatt of electricity, and irrigate 10,000 hectares of farmland, making its partial implementation a significant concern for local development.
