Residents of Ngoma and Kirehe districts have expressed concern over lack of proper information on their resettlement to pave way for the construction of a hydropower project at Rusumo falls.
They argue that there is need for a good layout of detailed information on resettlement and compensation action plan.
Their concern to the government and all parties involved in the project is to what extent are the measures being put in place to mitigate the huge loss of properties.
The concerns were raised during an open discussion by the Nile Media Initiative members in Rwanda with the residents and their leaders in the two districts of Ngoma and Kirehe.
Francis Bushayija the Executive Secretary Murama Sector noted, “Recently over 1000 hectares of land covered by maize were drowned due to flooding caused by heavy rains but residents say that the project started and we did not inform them on the operation yet I myself have non of the details going on.”
“Our people depend on farming and we want to know about results of the studies that were conducted and how and it will be helpful to them,” he added.
There is a strong commitment among the basin Governments towards addressing the regional energy crisis implying the need to expand electricity access, and supporting development to break out of downward spiral of land degradation, unsustainable use of water, low access to public infrastructure and services.
The constraints have been bitter to private sector development, so the provision of electricity will be the key in advocating for economic and social development in the region.
The impact of this project to the people around the project area would be to develop renewable hydroelectric power as part of a broader program to support sustainable management of the Kagera river basin and promote growth and poverty reduction.
Rwanda’s only Kirehe district has 950 hectares identified downstream and 500 hectares along the project area.
Concerning reinitialization and intensification Rwanda has 935 Crop Area to Terrace, 500 Crop Area of irrigation and 1,535 Households to be relocated.
Major economic activities in the project area are small scale agriculture, livestock keeping, trading at urban centers and formal employment in the civil service, refugee agencies and development agencies.
Despite the constraints on eviction and poor communication, the drafted study show the project; over 4000 direct jobs are expected to be created as a key economic benefits during the construction phase, while there will be 50 to 60 permanent jobs for operation and maintenance of the dam and associated facilities.
The Rwanda Nile Basin Discourse Forum (NBDF) has been tireless in making sure that
stakeholders’ participation of all levels is done.
“As we reach the objective of the project, the whole community will benefit and that’s why you (villagers) have not to be left out it or be affected in any way,” Jean Batiste Habiyaremye the chairman of NBDF-Rwanda challenged affected people.
Concerning project knowledge, community awareness and knowledge about the project varies from ward to another and from village to village.
Local leaders should be more informed on whatever action taking place to help them inform their ordinary villagers.
As well the communities should be involved in the evaluation and compensation planning, know the policies, or the regulations relating to resettlement procedures.
There is also a need for information desk or institution in place where affected people can seek for clarifications or report their grievances.
Standing at 90 megawatts, each state member will have 30 megawatts that will be connected to the national grid.
The power generation infrastructure will be located at Rusumo Falls on the border between Tanzania and Rwanda, shared between Burundi, Rwanda and Tanzania.
Transmissions lines will extend from the power generation plant to Gitega (Burundi), Kigali (Rwanda) and Nyakanazi (Tanzania)
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