Kigali 5 December 2020: Minister of Infrastructure, Honourable Claver Gatete accompanied by Director General of RTDA, Mayors of Gatsibo, Nyagatare and Gicumbi Districts and officials in Burera, Rulindo and Gakenke Districts visited the 73km Nyagatare-Rukomo road project and the 51-kilometre Base-Gicumbi road project. The objective of the field visit was to assess the progress of the project, identify issues encountered and find tangible solutions so as to speed up the completion of the project.

The road Base- Rukomo – Nyagatare road project (124.3km) is being upgraded from unpaved road to asphalt and is expected to promote trade, increase mobility and reduce transport costs along the North Corridor between Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, DR Congo and Burundi as well as improving accessibility and living conditions of the population in Eastern and Northern Provinces.

Base – Gicumbi – Rukomo section is completed at 97% and it is expected to be completed by March 2021 while Rukomo – Nyagatare section with progress of 57.6% will be completed by mid-2021. Once completed, this project will boost regional trade, increase mobility, connectivity and reduce transport costs along the North Corridor between Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, DR Congo& Burundi.

A meeting with local leaders was held and discussions focused on expediting pending expropriation cases and other related issues that were caused by the project.

Minister Gatete urged continued collaboration on all sides to find tangible solutions to all issues. He also requested increased and ownership and accountability by all stakeholders to enhance efficiency.