Bujumbura, November 7, 2008―President Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi on October 28 launched a water and electricity project aimed at improving Burundi’s overall infrastructure.
Ceremonies launching the World Bank-funded Multi-sectoral Water and Electricity Infrastructure Project took place in Taba, a suburb of Gihosha, located north of Burundi’s capital, Bujumbura.
By installing the first pipe at the project worksite, Nkurunziza marked the start of the project, which will supply increased water and electricity. The project also will help with the rehabilitation of Burundi’s hydroelectric power grid and other infrastructure for the distribution of electricity.
The project, worth 60 billion Burundian francs (about US$50 million), will cover the municipalities of Kinama, Buterere, Kamenge, Gihosha, Kanyosha and Musaga.
In his speech at the launch, President Nkurunziza said the project is a response from the World Bank at the request of the Burundian government to meet the needs of the population and achieve its policy of national reconstruction and development. In this context, more than 100 new valves will be built, and several others will be rehabilitated in six communes.
The President took the opportunity to urge the population of beneficiary municipalities, as well as the entire population of Bujumbura, to take ownership of the city’s infrastructure and to protect it against acts of vandalism that have been noted recently in neighborhoods across Bujumbura.
The Multi-sectoral Water and Electricity Infrastructure Project aims to increase access to safe drinking water in Bujumbura, improve the quality and reliability of electricity services, and strengthen the financial viability of Regideso, the national water distribution company.
RSS