RWB DIRECTOR GENERAL'S FIELD VISIT IN WESTERN PROVINCE TO EXPEDITE SEBEYA PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION
10th March 2023: In his four-day field visit, Dr. Emmanuel Rukundo, the Director General of the Rwanda Water Resources Board (RWB), monitored the implementation of the Sebeya Landscape Restoration Pilot Project (SLRPP) – Embedding Integrated Water Resources Management in Rwanda (EWRM) in the districts of Rutsiro, Ngororero, Rubavu and Nyabihu in Western Province.
The ongoing project is implemented by the Government of Rwanda through the Rwanda Water Resources Board (RWB) in partnership with International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV), and Rwanda Rural Rehabilitation Initiative (RWARRI) through the community approach.
During his field visit, which lasted from March 7th to March 10th, 2023, Dr. Rukundo met with various project beneficiaries as well as district officials to discuss the project’s challenges.
In this regard, he oversaw, along with the technical team, the ongoing construction of the new Sebeya retention dam in Kanama Sector, as well as the creation of terraces in Nyundo Sector in Rubavu District as catchment restoration initiatives.
He also visited Ruhango Sector in Rutsiro District as he tipped the project's beneficiaries on the soil erosion control measures, among other things, before heading to Muhanda Sector in Ngororero District to assess various implemented activities including the rainwater harvesting initiatives installed at schools.
Dr. Rukundo concluded his field visit at Nyabihu District while witnessing terraces, rainwater harvesting, and he Girinka Program.
SEBEYA PROJECT’S BRIEF
Since 2019, the EWMR – SLRPP in the Sebeya catchment at Rubavu, Rutsiro, Nyabihu and Ngororero districts implemented various activities such as flood mitigation structures, terraces, afforestation, agroforestry, as well as supporting measures including cows, small livestock, rainwater harvesting, cooking stoves to households and schools, kitchen gardens and Community Environment Conservation Fund (CECF) through Village Saving and Loan Associations, among others.