New Base-Butaro-Kidaho Road to Facilitate Trade in Burera District

The Inspirer.

As the construction of the paved road Base-Butaro-Kidaho continues, residents of Burera District and visitors, who have long yearned for a road of this caliber, now have high hopes that it will be completed soon, easing trade and travel.

The 63-kilometer road, which began construction in October 2022, is expected to be completed in three years. In various sectors of Burera District, which the road passes through, there are many machines and large trucks working on the construction, especially in the hilly areas near Lake Burera.

Ildephonse Sekanyambo said: “We used to farm and struggle to get our produce to market, often having to sell it cheaply because there weren’t enough vehicles to navigate the road. Now that the road is being constructed, it is evidence of how our President, Paul Kagame, has uplifted us, and we will soon be able to travel without any hindrance.”

Some had lost hope that the road would ever be constructed, given the previous attempts to improve it, which were often postponed. The road is being built by two expert companies: the Rwandan firm NPD and the Chinese firm CRBC.

The project is 35% complete, with construction starting from both the Base and Kidaho ends, converging towards Butaro. Bridges are being built, and the road is being widened. According to Thierry Muneza Kamuhanda, who oversees the construction, given the terrain and the resources being invested, including equipment and funds, the target completion date set by the Rwandan government will be met.

He said: “A large portion of the road runs near the lake, with large rocks that require skilled techniques to break. We assure people that we will meet the 2025 deadline specified in our contract. The remaining work will involve planting trees, installing lights, and building drainage systems, which we anticipate will take an additional six months.”

The road will cost RWF 96 billion. Both the residents and the district leadership are grateful that President Paul Kagame’s promises are being fulfilled. They pledge to maintain the road to ensure its longevity.

Soline Mukamana, the Mayor of Burera District, said: “Given the road’s location, it is easily accessible to many residents. We have agreed with the contractors that during this dry season, they will focus on essential tasks such as stabilizing the road and laying the foundation, ensuring that by the set deadline, it will be paved.”

“The anticipation for the paved road is immense, and we eagerly await its completion,” she added.

Regarding the relocation of those living or operating businesses along the Base-Butaro-Kidaho route, most residents have been compensated, and the remaining few are in the final stages of receiving their compensation.

Source: KIGALI TODAY.