Africa Water, Sanitation & Hygiene September - October 2016 Vol. 11 No.4 | Page 6

NEWS in brief Upon completion of the ongoing rehabilitation works by mid-2017, the dam will be able to contribute significantly to three of the Bank’s High 5s: “Light up and Power Africa” through a capacity to produce 27.4 MW of hydroelectric power; “Feed Africa” through irrigation of 90,000 hectares of land; and “Improve the quality of life for the people of Africa” through provision of drinking water to 17,000 people in Massingir district. The mission was pleased with the quality and progress of work that the Bank is financing, in particular observing the construction of auxiliary spillway to safe proof the dam against large floods, and the rehabilitation of bottom outlets, which will allow for year-round irrigation downstream of the dam. Around Africa on selected public institutions and households’ settlements, and supporting poor rural households construct artisan tanks by providing them with basic construction materials. Nizeyimana added “Construction works for the rainwater harvesting systems in 70 public institutions and five grouped settlements is in final stages”. On why the project implementation seemed to move at a slow pace, he said: “It is demand-driven. We sensitize people and they request a tank when they need it. But, you might also sensitize some when it is not their priority,” he said. “We hope to reach the targeted number of people because we are considering extending the project elsewhere in the country.” South Africa Mzimvubu Water Project to bring hope to residents The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) on Friday, 29 July 2016, held a stakeholder engagement meeting in Rwanda 4,000 Water Tanks Installed in Rainwater Harvest Drive Over 4,000 water tanks were installed by the end of July in different districts across the country under the Rainwater Harvesting Project which aims to improve livelihoods and to reduce surface runoff-overflow which Photo: The New Times, Rainwater being harvested into a tank. By Emmanuel causes erosion. Ntirenganya The project prioritized high rain density areas, with a target of installing 10,000 water tanks by December. The three-year project is being implemented by Rwanda Natural Resources Authority (RNRA) since January 2014 in six districts namely Nyarugenge, Gasabo, Kicukiro, Musanze, Nyabihu and Rubavu. JANTECH ENGINEERING LTD Manufacturers of Hot Water Cylinders, Pressed Steel Water Tanks Hot Dip Galvanizers & General Steel Fabricators Elevated Pressed Steel Water Tanks According to Innocent Nizeyimana, the project manager, the project is worth over Rwf2.5 billion with the government subsidy amounting to Rwf952 million. Those who benefit from the subsidy are Rwandans in the third and fourth Ubudehe Social Stratification, and the beneficiary has to own a house. The project has three components namely; supporting households purchase rainwater tanks through a loan and subsidy system, constructing rainwater harvesting systems 4 Africa Water, Sanitation & Hygiene • September - October 2016 Ground Pressed Steel Water Tanks Hot Water Cylinders Maasai Road, P.O. Box 45268 - 00100 GPO Kenya Tel: [phone] Cell: 0727 531040, Fax: 553938, 536422, Email: [email protected] or [email protected]