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Chinese constructed boreholes to benefit close to 8000 in Rwanda

Xinhua, September 9, 2015 Adjust font size:

Fifty eight new boreholes constructed by the Chinese government in western and northern Rwanda were inaugurated Monday.

The new boreholes are expected to benefit over 7700 households in Musanze, Nyabihu and Rubavu districts.

The inauguration ceremony took place in Musanze district in northern Rwanda.

The boreholes were constructed with a Chinese grant worth 10 million Chinese Yuan (1.5 million U.S. dollars) signed in 2010.

The project was implemented by China Jiangxi Corporation for International Economic and Technical Cooperation on behalf of Rwanda's Ministry of Natural Resources, with the implementation deal inked in May 2014.

28 eight of the boreholes were built in Musanze district, 17 in Nyabihu and 13 in Rubavu.

Speaking at the inauguration, Dr. Vincent Biruta, Rwanda's Minister of Natural Resources called on districts and residents to guard the water infrastructure.

Stressing the importance of water to health, the minister pointed to boreholes as other major sources of potable water.

Biruta explained that the boreholes were constructed after research showed abundance of underground water in northern and western provinces of the country.

He added that 22 local technicians were trained and equipped to maintain the boreholes in case repair is needed.

The Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda Shen Yongxiang, expressed China's readiness to maintain technical and other forms of cooperation with Rwanda.

"Sometimes we call water the source of life. This source of water will be the source of our friendship and this friendship will develop further and further," the ambassador said.

After the inauguration, the ministry handed the boreholes to district representatives who were tasked to ensure their maintenance.

Clementine Iradukunda, a resident of Musanze district, said maintaining hygiene in her family was a big challenge due to water shortages.

"I have been walking long distance to reach the nearest stream water source which affected hygiene and work. But this will be no more with this pure water," she said. Enditem