He made the revelation on Tuesday 18th October 2022 as he appeared before the parliamentary chamber of deputies to provide explanations on different issues including water distribution in rural areas, which raises concerns over hindrances that might impede government’s policy for universal access to safe water by 2024.
The decision to summon the minister was reached on 6th May 2022, following the community outreach visits of parliamentarians to different districts across the country to witness citizens’ livelihood standards and the implementation of development projects.
They established that some districts still have a lower percentage of residents with access safe water.
The problem was mainly noticed in the districts of Burera (43%), Nyabihu (56%), Nyagatare (60,2%) and others including Karongi, Nyaruguru, Ruhango and Rutsiro.
The parliamentarians also identified poor management including hiked water prices imposed by some water administrators, failure to rehabilitate water supply networks or ravaged water kiosks among others.
Some areas are reported to have idle water supply systems. The issue was specifically identified in Gakenke District where only 41 out of 100 similar infrastructures are fully operational while seven are not functional.
In Nyagatare District, it was observed that 33 villages do not have water despite the presence of water supply networks.
The Minister of Infrastructure, Dr. Erneste Nsabimana explained that the old system for water distribution in rural areas has changed.
He said that 90% of water supplied to the areas was from springs that were drained due to increase in human activities including agriculture and climate change as well.
This affected many projects that sources water from springs, but according to the minister, there is a plan to replace old water distribution systems to catch water from rivers and build mini water treatment plants.
“That is why the government has taken measures to build water treatment plants sourcing water from rivers and lakes. This plan will solve these problems. Related discussions with sponsors and relevant stakeholders are on commendable stages,” he said.
“We are left behind in building mini plants. Many northern Africa countries like Morocco and Senegal have applied the system and supplied large quantities of safe water to the population. It does not require advanced technology. Such plants are not expensive like large ones and are promising to get us on desired outcomes,” added Minister Nsabimana.
He explained that a master plan for water distribution has been designed in all districts noting that the remaining challenges are related to financial constraints.
“Inadequate budget is the major constraint where the blueprint is not aligned with our resources,” said Dr. Nsabimana.
Dr. Nsabimana disclosed that the government is aware of the issue of old water supply systems noting that they will be replaced depending on available means.
He explained that an assessment has indicated that 400 water distribution systems need to be replaced where the Ministry of Infrastructure needs Rwf15 billion to implement the project.
“We continue to discuss the issues with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning. We will renovate them gradually depending on available means,” Dr. Nsabimana said.
Regarding the poor management of water resulting in hiked tariffs, Minister Nsabimana said that the related policy is being revised to address issue.
The 5G network required for the East-West Gate (EWG) project was built by Vodafone Hungary and the network equipment was supplied by Huawei of China.
The terminal, built at a cost of over 40 billion forints (95.3 million U.S. dollars), will be able to handle up to one million twenty-foot containers (TEUs) per year, making it the largest such facility on the continent in terms of theoretical capacity and area.
“With the construction of the East-West Gate, Hungary is back on the map of international rail logistics,” Janos Talosi, chief executive officer (CEO) of the investor East-West Intermodal Logistics company, adding that the most advanced technologies available have been incorporated into the terminal, making transport faster and more accurate.
“Our vision was for EWG to become a gateway for the new Silk Road,” he told Xinhua on site following the opening ceremony.
China is promoting modern technology within the framework of its Belt and Road Initiative, hence it is no coincidence that EWG opted for a state-of-the-art private 5G network provided by Huawei, according to Talosi.
EWG is the first terminal in Europe to control cranes remotely using 5G technology. The terminal has one 41-meter wide and two 28-meter wide giant cranes on rails, as well as a 20-meter high rubber-tyred crane.
The cranes, supplied by Austrian company Kunz, are equipped with 20 high-resolution cameras the images of which, with the help of 5G, can be viewed in real time at the center of the terminal, enabling the workers to control the cranes as if they were working in the crane cabins,
The primary function of the terminal is to transship incoming rail shipments, which is necessary because, while 1,435-millimeter gauge rails are used in Europe, 1,520-millimeter gauge is used in Russia and many Asian countries.
EWG also has a significant capacity for transshipment of agricultural products and could soon become the largest rail hub for Ukraine’s food exports. The first train carrying agricultural goods from Ukraine rolled into the terminal during the opening ceremony.
From November 2022, the terminal is expected to be capable of handling 800 tonnes of grain and 450 cubic meters of sunflower oil per hour, making it the largest rail hub for Ukrainian food exports, according to the company.
The Ethiopian Government Communication Service, in a statement issued Tuesday, disclosed that the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) have taken control of the towns of Shire, Alamata, and Korem, pushing back the rebel Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).
“The government of Ethiopia is carrying out the necessary preparations and will coordinate with the relevant humanitarian agencies to provide humanitarian aid through these areas that have come under the control of the ENDF, including via the Shire Airport,” the statement read.
Noting that the maximum care ENDF has taken thus far has succeeded in protecting civilians from harm, the statement indicated that government forces have “averted the grim scenario some have predicted by echoing TPLF’s propaganda.”
The Ethiopian government said in coordination with humanitarian operators, it is making preparations to expand the routes through which humanitarian assistance could be transported. It said concerted efforts are underway to open the North Gondar route to Shire as well as the Kombolcha-Dessie-Woldiya-Kobo-Alamata route. The ongoing preparations will also include technical assessments and some of the groundwork needed to restore services to the conflict-affected areas.
The latest announcement came a day after the Ethiopian government vowed to take control of major public facilities in the conflict-hit Tigray region. It said the measures are necessitated not only by the repeated attacks of the TPLF but also by its active collusion with hostile foreign powers.
“It is thus imperative that the government of Ethiopia assumes immediate control of all airports, other federal facilities, and installations in the region,” the Ethiopian Government Communication Service said in a statement Monday.
Meanwhile, it reiterated that government forces will endeavor to avoid combat operations within urban areas to prevent civilian casualties, and strict instructions have been given to all combat units to reinforce this commitment.
Humanitarian aid had been heading to the Tigray region after the Ethiopian government and the rebel forces in late March agreed to a conditional cessation of hostilities and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid into the region.
Conflict resumed in August as the Ethiopian government accused the TPLF of resuming fighting. The situation eventually halted humanitarian aid flowing into parts of Northern Ethiopia.
Ethiopia, Africa’s second most populous nation, has seen a devastating conflict between government-allied troops and forces loyal to the TPLF since November 2020, which has left millions in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has followed up on the consequences of the OPEC+ decision to reduce oil production, the campaign against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the attempts to hold it responsible for the repercussions of the decision,” the ministry said in a statement.
“Sudan, as a member of the group, stresses that the decision to cut the oil production came with consensus among all member states,” the ministry said.
The statement stressed Sudan’s support for the Saudi stance that the OPEC+ decision was based purely on economic considerations, aiming to maintain the balance of supply and demand in the oil markets, as well as to limit volatility that does not serve the interests of consumers and producers.
On Oct. 5, OPEC+ announced a major production cut of 2 million barrels per day (bpd) starting November to bolster oil prices that have recently tumbled over recession fears.
The reduction equals around 2 percent of this year’s global oil production, which is estimated by OPEC at around 100 million bpd.
The OPEC+ decision reportedly sparked U.S. criticism of Saudi Arabia and accusations of siding with Russia, which Riyadh rejected.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that 200 cattle and a combined total of 15,400 sheep and goats departed via MV Bunyas Lome shipping vessel for the Salalah Port in Oman.
“The livestock export gives renewed impetus in the utilization of Lamu port as a central cog in international trade by facilitating quick and effective use of sea transport,” the ministry said in a statement released in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, Monday.
The ministry added that the export is especially timely as it comes at a time when drought has ravaged many parts of the country.
“The export offers an opportunity for Kenyan livestock owners to sell their animals to a promising market,” it said.
The ministry noted that international sales would also prevent the loss of thousands of animals to the current drought as well as empower livestock farmers.
Kenya inaugurated the first berth of the Lamu port in May 2021, which is part of the Lamu Port South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) corridor.
China Communication Construction Company undertook the construction of the first berth of the port facility that can handle large vessels with a carrying capacity ranging from 12,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) to 18,000 TEUs.
Gen Muhoozi arrived in Kigali on Saturday last week where he was received by Maj Gen Willy Rwagasana, Commander of the Republican Guard and Brig Gen Ronald Rwivanga, the Spokesperson of Rwanda Defence Force (RDF).
Following his arrival, Gen Muhoozi met with President Paul Kagame but topics of discussions were not disclosed to the public.
As he arrived in Uganda, Gen Muhoozi posted a message of his Twitter handle that he was very happy to be back home after another very successful stay to beautiful Rwanda.
Gen Muhoozi revealed that he was honoured to have more great discussions with President Kagame, whom he calls his uncle and asked God to bless Rwanda and Uganda.
“Uganda-Rwanda relations are now very strong indeed! God bless both brotherly countries,” he tweeted.
On Sunday, Gen Muhoozi participated in the bi-monthly Car Free Day along with President Kagame and Kigali City residents.
He was also seen with Kagame in his farm located in Kibugabuga of Bugesera District.
During his visit to Rwanda, Gen Muhoozi was accompanied by journalist Andrew Mwenda and others including Alexander Mukonzi, a son of his uncle Gen Salim Saleh.
Members of his delegation were gifted cows by Kagame at his farm in Bugesera.
Gen Muhoozi was also given cows by the Head of State during his recent visit to Rwanda in March 2022.
Gen Muhoozi has visited Rwanda three times this year. His mediation efforts saw the tensions that existed between Rwanda and Uganda for four years de-escalating.
Rwanda hosted the 84th Interpol General Assembly in November, 2015.
On the sideline of the ongoing 90th INTERPOL GA, on Tuesday, the Rwandan delegation held series of bilateral meetings with Police Chiefs and other high ranking officials from law enforcement agencies in Europe and Africa.
DIGP Ujeneza, during the meeting with the Commander-in-Chief of the Polish Police, Gen. Jaroslaw Szymczyk; they discussed ways for RNP and Polish Police to work together in various matters of policing, including capacity building and fight against transnational organized crime.
DIGP Ujeneza also met with the Czech Republic Police delegation headed by Col. Sarka Hvrankova, the Director of International Police Cooperation. They also discussed ways to formalize cooperation especially in capacity development.
Meanwhile, the Rwandan delegation held a meeting with the Governor Director General of Turkish Police National Police, Mr Mehmet Aktas, who appreciated the good relations between Rwanda and Turkey.
In other separate bilateral meetings, the Rwandan delegation met with the Acting Botswana Commissioner of Police, Mr. Phemelo Ramakorwane, the National Commissioner of Eswatini Royal Police, Mr. William Dlamini, Namibian Police Chief, Lt Gen Joseph Shimweelao Shikongo, Zimbabwe Commissioner General of Police, Mr. Tandabantu Godwin Matanga, and the General Commissioner of Belgian Federal Police, Mr. Marc Mesmaeker.
Discussions focused on building and strengthening cooperation and collaboration in policing matters.
The 90th Interpol General Assembly, which started on Tuesday October 18, will this Wednesday focus on strengthening collaborative response to financial crime and corruption, governance and data processing as well as operational and strategic partnership.
The money was recovered on Monday October 17, from the suspected thief identified as Ayishakiye Claudine, who was also arrested.
Ayishakiye was a house-help, where he allegedly stole Frw1,675,000 from his employer, according to Superintendent of Police (SP) Alex Ndayisenga, the Northern Region Political and Civic Education Officer (RPCEO).
“The victim owns a shop in Gashangiro trading centre. On Monday morning as he was setting off to work, he realized that part of the money amounting to Rwf1,675,000 was missing from his bag. He immediately reported the alleged theft to the Police,” SP Ndayisenga said.
He added that the house-help, Ayishakiye, who was still at home, was the first suspect prompting Police officers to search his room where Rwf1,544,000 was recovered hidden in his mattress cover, leading to his arrest.
He advised the young people to always be honest, trustworthy and work hard instead of engaging in such criminal acts and wasting their lives in prison.
Ayishakiye was handed over to RIB at Cyuve station for further investigations.
Article 166 of law determining offences and penalties in general states that; any person convicted of theft is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than one (1) year and not more than two (2) years and a fine of not less than Rwf1 million and not more than Rwf2 million, community service in a period of six (6) months or only one of these penalties.
He delivered the message on Tuesday 18th October 2022 during an interactive session with students and teachers on his visit to the school located in Kigarama Sector of Kicukiro District in Kigali City.
“The UAE has put great emphasis in promoting science, technology and innovation in the education system and curriculum. One of the targets of National Agenda is that UAE students must be the best in the world in reading, mathematics and science.
This is something that I also wish for all of you, to be the best you can be in your science classes at your school,” said Amb. Alqahtani.
The Ambassador also took the opportunity to share the key initiatives put in place by the UAE in advancing education not only to UAE citizens but also to Rwandans.
Since 2002, the UAE through the Al Maktoum Foundation has supported Rwanda’s education by funding two secondary schools namely; the Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Girls Secondary School for Sciences in Muhanga and the Hamdan Bin Rashid Kimisange Secondary School which he has visited.
Students from these schools have been performing well in national examinations.
For the last 12 years, the UAE through the Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation has also been 100% supporting the Islamic Secondary School for Sciences and the Islamic Cultural center.
Within the framework of joint action in order to support the education sector in Rwanda, the UAE Government provided scholarships to outstanding students in different UAE universities, through the UAE Technical Assistance Program.
“The scholarship programs will enable the students to build a better future, and contribute to achieving development for their country and the local community,” said Amb. Alqahtani.
In 2018, 20 male and female students from Rwanda received UAE Government scholarships at the UAE University in the disciplines of Architecture, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Biology, Biochemistry, and Computer Science.
Among others, 10 Rwandan students were given full scholarships to pursue bachelor’s degree programs at Sorbonne Abu Dhabi University in 2019.
In consideration of the fact that education plays a critical role in knowledge-driven economy, Amb. Alqahtani commended students for excellent performance and reiterated his country’s commitment to provide scholarships to best performers in internationally recognized universities of his country.
The UAE has established an excellent and diversified system of higher education in a very short period.
The UAE University, founded in 1976, led higher education in the country. Since then, the UAE currently has more than 76 public and private institutions of higher education and they include universities, colleges and vocational and technical institutes, both local and international campuses, such as the Sorbonne Abu Dhabi University, New York University and American University of Sharjah.
It has been providing scholarships to Rwandan students who excelled in their secondary education at some of these public and private universities.
Maki Abdalla Ali Hamadian, the Country Director of Al Makhtoum Foundation Rwanda said that the organization did not only contribute to infrastructure development mainly in the education sector in Rwanda, but also paid tuition fees for vulnerable families and provided food relief among others.
He explained that the two secondary schools have graduated over 700 students of whom more than 150 were admitted to universities in Rwanda while 60 were supported to pursue studies abroad.
Among others, 15 students were fully supported by the foundation and completed secondary studies.
The schools offer education from the lower to the upper secondary school with a focus on science courses in the combinations of Mathematics, Chemistry and Biology (MCB) as well as Mathematics, Physics and Geography (MPG) but the foundation plans to introduce technical courses to contribute to holistic, social and economic transformation.
During his visit to Hamdan Bin Rashid Kimisange Secondary School for Sciences, Amb. Alqahtani toured different facilities including a laboratory, computer lab and awarded a senior 5 student who exhibited outstanding performance with a laptop.
The Head Teacher of the school, Valens Safari thanked the ambassador for the gift which he considered a motivation for other students to work hard, so long as they have witnessed that hard work pays off.
Students thanked the ambassador for paying them a visit and got an opportunity to ask questions of curiosity.
