The drainage collects waste and rainwater from homes in the sectors of Nyamirambo, Gitega and Kimisagara all in Nyarugenge, towards River Nyabugogo.

The drainage channel that had lacked sustainable management of water from the sectors surrounding the drainage would be clogged by too much water during heavy rains, hence destroying several properties including homes, merchandises among others in its surroundings.

Under the project design, Mpazi drainage channel will be expanded while two major bridges are widened to enable direct flow of drainage water into River Nyabugogo.

As IGIHE visited construction sites; Engineer Fidèle Tuyisenge, the Water and Sanitation Infrastructure planning Officer at the City of Kigali said that construction activities currently stand at 54%.

“Construction activities are underway at 54%. We are upgrading drainage channel linking two bridges in Nyabugogo. We initially had to build an elevated bridge with desired heights so that water can directly flow into River Nyabugogo appropriately,” he said.

Two major bridges on Mpazi drainage channel including one located near the area known as ‘Ku Mashyirahamwe’ and another one in the vicinity of ‘Poids Lourds’ will be completed at a cost of Rwf 7.9 billion.

Eng.Tuyisenge explained that construction activities were stalled by Coronavirus pandemic as some materials would be imported.

“We experienced shortage of steels that we used to import due to measures implemented to contain the spread of Coronavirus. Moreover, local factories were unable to meet the country’s demand including works at Mpazi drainage channel. This hindered smooth execution but we are currently on track,” he said.

Construction activities at Mpazi drainage channel provide jobs to 150 people every month.

Apart from Mpazi, Kigali city also plans to upgrade 40 drainage channels from Gasabo, Kicukiro and Nyarugenge districts at cost of Rwf 30 billion.

Funded by Rwanda Green Fund (FONERWA), Mpazi project will improve the resilience of the Nyabugogo area to flooding by enhancing the hydraulic conveyance capacity of Mpazi channel and Nyabugogo River. It will have a flood monitoring system as well as monitoring water flow within the Nyabugogo floodplain.

Under the project design, Mpazi drainage channel will be expanded while two major bridges are widened to enable direct flow of drainage water into River Nyabugogo.

The expansion of Mpazi drainage channel is underway.