Journalists from Rwandan Media Houses Interviewed Infrastructure Projects Built by Chinese Companies in Rwanda

2021/11/05

On November 4, 2021, journalists from Rwandan media houses including Rwanda Broadcasting Agency, The New Times, IGIHE and Kigali Today, visited China-aided 200-Borehole Project and Upgrading of Sonatubes-Gahanga-Akagera Road Project.

China-aided 200 Borehole Project is being built by China Geo-Engineering Corporation. Started in November 2019， the project aims to drill 200 boreholes or wells to address the drinking water shortage of around 110,000 people in Rwanda. Nearly eighty percent of the project is now complete. At a borehole site in the Southern Province, villagers told journalists excitedly that they were happy that China helps to drill wells so that they no longer need to travel long distances to get water, greatly facilitating their lives. Officials from Rugalika Sector and Rwanda Water and Sanitation Corporation said the China-aided project offered a quick and effective solution to the water shortage problem and reflected the deep friendship between the two countries.

The Upgrading of Sonatubes-Gahanga-Akagera Road Project on the outskirts of Kigali, being built by China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), is expected to be completed in 2022. The project plans to expand the original 13.8 km two-lane road to four lanes. Nearby residents told reporters that upgrading of the road have facilitated their life, lowered transportation costs and reduced accidents. China has done a lot of good things for Rwanda's development. Local employees of who have worked at the CRBC for many years said they are grateful that the company not only helps them acquire knowledge and skills, improve their income, but also provides benefits to their children. Officials from the Gahanga Sector and the Rwanda Transportation Development Authority said, the upgrading project is effective in easing traffic jams, facilitating the movement of people between the sectors and has created many jobs. Rwanda highly appreciates China's efforts to support its development.

The journalists commented that they have witnessed China's positive contributions to Rwanda's socio-economic development. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, and they will actively report on the development of friendly cooperation between the two countries.