The state minister of infrastructure Hon. Eng. Coletha Ruhamya has stressed the importance of promoting the usage of clay and ceramic stoves as a way of protecting the environment.
She made the remarks when she joined other top government officials, members of the private companies and development partners, top military officials and police officers to do their share of community service before assessing the Nyarugati Imbere energy sector project in Nyamata District of the Eastern Province last Saturday.
“The cutting down of trees is not only affecting the environment of Bugesera but also by using stones and firewood, people are more prone to illness due to the smoke they breath in everyday,” the minister said in his address.
“We want every Rwandan to have the opportunity to take care of our environment but this does not mean that by the stopping the cutting of trees, the people should not be able to find a way to sustain their daily needs. By working together, we can not only keep our country beautiful but we can help each other in finding affordable and safer ways in which we can prosper in great health,” she observed.
The Nyarugati Imbere project involves a bio mass and energy sector project, which will train and promote an environmentally, cost effective, safe and reliable service to all sectors and households across Rwanda. The project began in Nyamata, which was the first district to produce a clay stove, proving that they are not only cost and environmentally friendly but are also reliable and durable.
An exhibition held in the area underlined how cooking with firewood, which has until now been the only method of cooking in most rural areas, is not only affecting the environment but is also harmful to their health.
Francince Mukaruberwa, a rural supervisor in Nyamata District told IGIHE.com that the project was a success.
“Before this program was put in place, there was a four hour difference between how long it would take to cook a simple meal using firewood and the stove. ”
From students, to the mayor of Bugesera, the minister of state herself, all took a lesson on how to build a stove for oneself.
The training program’s team consists of two consultants from Kenya and fifteen students from the rural districts. The students would be trained for free to make clay and ceramic stoves. At the end of their training, each student from each district would be able to teach those in their home districts on how to build the cost effective stoves. According to the trainees, one stove could last up to ten years.
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