I reached here on Tuesday and at the arrival lounge in Montreal i got an idea of what winter is. First my fingers froze that i stopped feeling them, as they were no-longer part o my body. There were a couple of buses and we-i was traveling with a certain Fred Mwasa who was also coming or the training programme but in Ottawa. But it is safe to write about Fred another day..He is a handful by any stretch.
So we tried to get a cab but even they were working on some schedule that they were nt bout to change because of us, yes, finally we got a limousine
I have top go Kim has come to pick us up
Thursday 29 January 2009
National communications project to start soon
BY GEORGE KAGAME
The government is set to launch the Rwanda Communications Infrastructure Project before the end of January after it was approved by the senate last week.
The project is among huge steps and is crucial in achieving the stated vision by President Paul Kagame to use ICT as the cornerstone of long term development programmes of government. RICP is a scheme designed "to contribute to extending the geographical reach of broadband networks and stimulate private-sector international and local broad bank connectivity at affordable rate," states a recent official document from the Real Sector Development in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning.
It was approved by senate on Thursday last week and while presenting its framework to the house Energy Minister Eng Albert Butare said government had earmarked the money to have the fiber optic submarine cable extended to all government institutions like hospitals and schools. It will cost 60 million USD and involves the extension of the broadband submarine cable from Mombasa, Kenya, to all districts in Rwanda and is fully funded by the World Bank and government. Butare further said that when completed, RICP would help the private institutions to access communication lines with ease, he added that Rwanda’s telecommunication currently works through satellite which he said is expensive and limited.
A policy document from the Ministry of Infrastructure states that the ministry want RICP to "Integrate with other national backbone infrastructure initiatives, for example EASSy/EABs, Artel/VSAT and MTN Networks, ELECTOGAZ fiber network, ORINFOR and international broadcasting services, etc into a National Communications Infrastructure Backbone." Upon its completion it will RICP will be part of a regional framework whose pilot project, the East African Satellite System-Eassy-currently ongoing. This regional project will connect Rwanda's ICT network along those of other EAC members to the rest of the world on the sea bed of the East African coastline of the EAC.
An official document from the World Bank says that; "The Rwanda project is part of the World Bank’s $424 million Regional Communication Infrastructure Program which is designed to improve the regional communications infrastructure and increase the deployment of e-government in Southern and Eastern Africa. The program also complements the submarine fiber optic cable projects being developed along the East coast of Africa which will link the region into the global communications network."
The director of Rwanda Information and Communication Technology Authority-RITA Nkubito Bakuramitsa could not comment on the project as he was locked in a meeting the entire day while Rwanda Utilities and Regulation Authority, Deogene Mudenge also refused to comment. The two bodies are the official institutions charged with policy and technical issues relating to ICT in the country.
Experts state that broadband networks will enhance Broadcasting capabilities in Rwanda and the region, including digital broadcasting, provide high-capacity, low cost communication capability for both urban as well as rural areas and expand mobile phone coverage and TV/radio receivership (including national TV and FM radio coverage).
The government is set to launch the Rwanda Communications Infrastructure Project before the end of January after it was approved by the senate last week.
The project is among huge steps and is crucial in achieving the stated vision by President Paul Kagame to use ICT as the cornerstone of long term development programmes of government. RICP is a scheme designed "to contribute to extending the geographical reach of broadband networks and stimulate private-sector international and local broad bank connectivity at affordable rate," states a recent official document from the Real Sector Development in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning.
It was approved by senate on Thursday last week and while presenting its framework to the house Energy Minister Eng Albert Butare said government had earmarked the money to have the fiber optic submarine cable extended to all government institutions like hospitals and schools. It will cost 60 million USD and involves the extension of the broadband submarine cable from Mombasa, Kenya, to all districts in Rwanda and is fully funded by the World Bank and government. Butare further said that when completed, RICP would help the private institutions to access communication lines with ease, he added that Rwanda’s telecommunication currently works through satellite which he said is expensive and limited.
A policy document from the Ministry of Infrastructure states that the ministry want RICP to "Integrate with other national backbone infrastructure initiatives, for example EASSy/EABs, Artel/VSAT and MTN Networks, ELECTOGAZ fiber network, ORINFOR and international broadcasting services, etc into a National Communications Infrastructure Backbone." Upon its completion it will RICP will be part of a regional framework whose pilot project, the East African Satellite System-Eassy-currently ongoing. This regional project will connect Rwanda's ICT network along those of other EAC members to the rest of the world on the sea bed of the East African coastline of the EAC.
An official document from the World Bank says that; "The Rwanda project is part of the World Bank’s $424 million Regional Communication Infrastructure Program which is designed to improve the regional communications infrastructure and increase the deployment of e-government in Southern and Eastern Africa. The program also complements the submarine fiber optic cable projects being developed along the East coast of Africa which will link the region into the global communications network."
The director of Rwanda Information and Communication Technology Authority-RITA Nkubito Bakuramitsa could not comment on the project as he was locked in a meeting the entire day while Rwanda Utilities and Regulation Authority, Deogene Mudenge also refused to comment. The two bodies are the official institutions charged with policy and technical issues relating to ICT in the country.
Experts state that broadband networks will enhance Broadcasting capabilities in Rwanda and the region, including digital broadcasting, provide high-capacity, low cost communication capability for both urban as well as rural areas and expand mobile phone coverage and TV/radio receivership (including national TV and FM radio coverage).
Kigali's rising commuting business becomes a nightmare to traffic officer
BY GEORGE KAGAME
One of the finer little things about living in an inner city neighbourhood like Nyamirambo is that on a good day as you are chauffeured in a cramped Twegerane one of your favourite songs will be played in the "American" painted twegeranes. But this is if you are a teenager or listen to teenage music with all its accompaniments like a monstrous volume, sang by the likes of Lil' Wayne and is dubbed by one of Kigali's wannabe mix djs which means you are not quite sure if it is the Dj telling you some nonsense or the nonsense is actually coming from the singer.
So while you listen to the song there several reactions, first the song might be one of your favourites in which case you sing along and nod your head. A good feeling to start a day with. However, the volume on which the taxi driver plays it can cause you an early stomach upset-even if you never had any breakfast-or make you feel like you want to jump on the driver, punch the hell out of his teenage head along with his conductor. Or better still, just switch off from the place into space-and this explains the increasing use of gadgets like earphones connected to I.pods or music phones in most public places in Kigali today.
But you are not the only one with anger at this time of the day. Most drivers are in a constant and state of anger in our city, there are a variety of reasons, stemming from the utter lack of planning of the road network when that city started its sojourn 100 years ago, or the fact the city centre actually has nothing taking place in it, apart from banks and UTC. Most commuters pass through to other suburbs for work and shopping which means it is just a traffic terminal.
The passengers-either because we speak the same language-are in a constant 'high pitch talk'-and the taxi drivers are playing that extremely loud music, the mix up of these in most cases could make Hillywwod directors slap themselves for not staging big brother like street cameras to capture real stuff. This is our new Kigali.
The city centre is abuzz with a new life. There's activity and more activity, during the rush hour, 'Kwa'Rubangura is so busy and noisy that you have to sympathize with Kigali's graceful walkers. The city belles who spend a big chunk of their time making up just to appear beautiful and cause another jam as heads and comments turns in their direction.
Their elegant strides mixed with the bustle and hustle of the fast lane of taxis as those of Nyamirambo make a good case for our Kigali. Ever appearing to be full of action, the Rwandan Police has deployed traffic police officers to ensure some stability and sanity at Kwa'Rubangura and create harmony between commuters and bus drivers. One of their most recent emissaries to create this order is a traffic officer known as 'Generali' named so by Kigali Notes Senior Correspondent Majukumu Sikiofupi for security purposes. But there's none to consider since Generali is reeling from a vicious attack by some drivers he is said to have tortured with regular 'senkanti' fines. Even the passengers side with drivers in their war against 'Generali'.
The story goes that after suffering from Generali's constant and eagle eye for punishing traffic offenders, some drivers decided to take judicial action, they bought a sim card and used it only once to call the officer. The drivers posed as his colleagues inviting him for a drink into town. When Generali showed up-he was called for the meet from his day off duty-and the drivers gave him the beating of his life. They dropped him for dead after ensuring he could not remember their identities and with no strength for revenge. The officer is now recovering from his occupational hazards and the drivers are now happy with the beginning of the year.
Sikiofupi met with some of the bus conductors at Rubanguara and presents their views on the state of affairs at Rubangura;
Machokali: The city belongs to us all but Generali punishes us like he knows more about traffic than me. Look at me, i began working in this place even before he went to school to learn about traffic, i have kids to feed and he he has to fork out senkanti from me, once twice a day? I have no sympathizes with him.
Carradine: By the time Generali comes back on our streets he would have known better how to deal with watu kama sisi, and should he again resume his fines, we shall report him to higher authorities as a hindrance to achieving venti venti. Can he not see that we have more buses and commuters all hurrying to fulfill that vision?
Rambo: Am not in the business of intimidating police officers like you Carradine, especially if they are called Generali, the man is doing his job and instead of celebrating his misery we should organize a visit with him to show we are not only capable of beating, we can also care.
One of the finer little things about living in an inner city neighbourhood like Nyamirambo is that on a good day as you are chauffeured in a cramped Twegerane one of your favourite songs will be played in the "American" painted twegeranes. But this is if you are a teenager or listen to teenage music with all its accompaniments like a monstrous volume, sang by the likes of Lil' Wayne and is dubbed by one of Kigali's wannabe mix djs which means you are not quite sure if it is the Dj telling you some nonsense or the nonsense is actually coming from the singer.
So while you listen to the song there several reactions, first the song might be one of your favourites in which case you sing along and nod your head. A good feeling to start a day with. However, the volume on which the taxi driver plays it can cause you an early stomach upset-even if you never had any breakfast-or make you feel like you want to jump on the driver, punch the hell out of his teenage head along with his conductor. Or better still, just switch off from the place into space-and this explains the increasing use of gadgets like earphones connected to I.pods or music phones in most public places in Kigali today.
But you are not the only one with anger at this time of the day. Most drivers are in a constant and state of anger in our city, there are a variety of reasons, stemming from the utter lack of planning of the road network when that city started its sojourn 100 years ago, or the fact the city centre actually has nothing taking place in it, apart from banks and UTC. Most commuters pass through to other suburbs for work and shopping which means it is just a traffic terminal.
The passengers-either because we speak the same language-are in a constant 'high pitch talk'-and the taxi drivers are playing that extremely loud music, the mix up of these in most cases could make Hillywwod directors slap themselves for not staging big brother like street cameras to capture real stuff. This is our new Kigali.
The city centre is abuzz with a new life. There's activity and more activity, during the rush hour, 'Kwa'Rubangura is so busy and noisy that you have to sympathize with Kigali's graceful walkers. The city belles who spend a big chunk of their time making up just to appear beautiful and cause another jam as heads and comments turns in their direction.
Their elegant strides mixed with the bustle and hustle of the fast lane of taxis as those of Nyamirambo make a good case for our Kigali. Ever appearing to be full of action, the Rwandan Police has deployed traffic police officers to ensure some stability and sanity at Kwa'Rubangura and create harmony between commuters and bus drivers. One of their most recent emissaries to create this order is a traffic officer known as 'Generali' named so by Kigali Notes Senior Correspondent Majukumu Sikiofupi for security purposes. But there's none to consider since Generali is reeling from a vicious attack by some drivers he is said to have tortured with regular 'senkanti' fines. Even the passengers side with drivers in their war against 'Generali'.
The story goes that after suffering from Generali's constant and eagle eye for punishing traffic offenders, some drivers decided to take judicial action, they bought a sim card and used it only once to call the officer. The drivers posed as his colleagues inviting him for a drink into town. When Generali showed up-he was called for the meet from his day off duty-and the drivers gave him the beating of his life. They dropped him for dead after ensuring he could not remember their identities and with no strength for revenge. The officer is now recovering from his occupational hazards and the drivers are now happy with the beginning of the year.
Sikiofupi met with some of the bus conductors at Rubanguara and presents their views on the state of affairs at Rubangura;
Machokali: The city belongs to us all but Generali punishes us like he knows more about traffic than me. Look at me, i began working in this place even before he went to school to learn about traffic, i have kids to feed and he he has to fork out senkanti from me, once twice a day? I have no sympathizes with him.
Carradine: By the time Generali comes back on our streets he would have known better how to deal with watu kama sisi, and should he again resume his fines, we shall report him to higher authorities as a hindrance to achieving venti venti. Can he not see that we have more buses and commuters all hurrying to fulfill that vision?
Rambo: Am not in the business of intimidating police officers like you Carradine, especially if they are called Generali, the man is doing his job and instead of celebrating his misery we should organize a visit with him to show we are not only capable of beating, we can also care.
No job losses; Bihire assures Electrogaz employees
BY GEORGE KAGAME
The Minister of Infrastructure Linda Bihire yesterday assured employees of Electrogaz, the national monopoly charged with suppling water and electricity that none will lose their jobs as a result of restructuring that the parastatal is set to undergo operational restructuring soon.
Bihire who was touring Electrogaz installations in Kigali city said that the utility corporation was among the most efficient under government control and that it was set to be divided into two separate bodies, one in charge of water and the other electricity services. She told the employees that the restructuring is meant to increase the efficiency of Electrogaz and its employees should not worry about losing their jobs. The corporation employees over 1600 workers.
She appealed to Electrogaz to increase access to water resources in the country and as if to underline the importance of water she said that investors are set to begin a tile factory in Nyagatare instead of staring it in other parts of the country where there were more raw materials for tile manufacturing. "Electricity and water services are very crucial to the development programmes and they decide where important projects are located."
"Because Nygatare is close to an important water resource the investors have decided to start their factory in this area, yet it would be more meaningful for it-the factory-to be established in areas like Ruhengeri where there are more stones needed in the manufacture of tiles," said Bihire.
John Mirenge the Managing Director of Electrogaz along with its board chairman Chrisologue Karangwa toured the minister around the installations. Mirenge said that his organization had undergone tremendous growth in the past three years increasing water production by 18 percent and electricity by 10 percent. He promised that when the Nyabarongo water project is completed in March most of Kigali's water problems will be solved. He added that with the completion of several mini hydro electricity projects currently underway, even access to electricity will significantly increase. Mirenge said among the medium term electricity interventions include a 20 mega watts project, heavy fuel and the extraction of methane gas in Lake Kivu.
The Minister of Infrastructure Linda Bihire yesterday assured employees of Electrogaz, the national monopoly charged with suppling water and electricity that none will lose their jobs as a result of restructuring that the parastatal is set to undergo operational restructuring soon.
Bihire who was touring Electrogaz installations in Kigali city said that the utility corporation was among the most efficient under government control and that it was set to be divided into two separate bodies, one in charge of water and the other electricity services. She told the employees that the restructuring is meant to increase the efficiency of Electrogaz and its employees should not worry about losing their jobs. The corporation employees over 1600 workers.
She appealed to Electrogaz to increase access to water resources in the country and as if to underline the importance of water she said that investors are set to begin a tile factory in Nyagatare instead of staring it in other parts of the country where there were more raw materials for tile manufacturing. "Electricity and water services are very crucial to the development programmes and they decide where important projects are located."
"Because Nygatare is close to an important water resource the investors have decided to start their factory in this area, yet it would be more meaningful for it-the factory-to be established in areas like Ruhengeri where there are more stones needed in the manufacture of tiles," said Bihire.
John Mirenge the Managing Director of Electrogaz along with its board chairman Chrisologue Karangwa toured the minister around the installations. Mirenge said that his organization had undergone tremendous growth in the past three years increasing water production by 18 percent and electricity by 10 percent. He promised that when the Nyabarongo water project is completed in March most of Kigali's water problems will be solved. He added that with the completion of several mini hydro electricity projects currently underway, even access to electricity will significantly increase. Mirenge said among the medium term electricity interventions include a 20 mega watts project, heavy fuel and the extraction of methane gas in Lake Kivu.
Government methane gas deal postponed till end of January
BY GEORGE KAGAME
A deal between government and an American gas extraction firm Contour Global that was due to be signed today has been extended to the end of January on the request of the firm.
The Energy Coordinator in the Ministry of Infrastructure Yusuf Uwamohoro said there were a couple of issues that both parties are working upon before the final deal is signed "at the end of this month." Contour Global is contracted to extract methane gas from Lake Kivu and last month the firm in partnership with government began supplying Gisenyi town with gas, their pilot project producing 2 megawatts of electricity from gas. Contour Global has targeted output of gas up to 100 megawatts from L.Kivu, the deal that was due to be signed today is part of negotiations to achieve that goal.
Uwamahoro said that government and the Americans were working on 'one or two issues and we have shifted the deal to be signed at the end of this month." He added that Contour Global was signing two agreements, one-a gas concession with government allowing for the extraction and another-power purchase agreement with Electrogaz, the national electricity supplying corporation. When extraction begins, Electrogaz will buy methane gas from Contour Global and sell it on the open market at a proposed tariff of 6 cents (of US dollars) per kilowatt according to the interim Director General of the government’s methane gas project (UPEGAZ), Charles Nyirahuku.
Nyirahuku added that in the future private companies interested in gas extraction on L. Kivu will deal with Rwandan Investment Group and Contour Global the only the two companies with government permission for extraction.
In a recent interview Alex Kabuto the Director General of the Gisenyi based pilot project for gas extraction said that Contour Global was in the process acquiring and installing new machinery and would soon increase output to between 50-100 megawatts. The Minister of Energy and water Albert Butare said that L.Kivu has potential to produce 350 mw which will solve many of national energy shortfalls, official statistics in the Infrastructural Ministry state that currently less than 2 percent of Rwandans have access to electricty.
Methane gas has long been considered as the solution of Rwanda energy requirements, exploration works on the lake began in 1963 by a Belgian company. Today government, the International Finance Corporation with other donors are financing the methane projects.
In a related development Butare has clarified on the position of the soon to be launched Rwanda Engineers Registry Board. The minister was on Sunday responding to recent media reports that his ministry was due to start registering engineers of all domains across the country. Butare said that the Institution of Engineers of Rwanda-IER was already registered and is soon to be launched, "the essential job of IER is to strengthen professionalism in the field and will act as a forum for senior and young engineers for exchange of ideas, knowledge and experience within a particular engineering profession."
An official document from Mininfra sates that the ministry is in the process of establishing the Engineers Registration Board which, once approved by cabinet and enacted into law shall introduce procedures through which engineering professionals will be allowed to practice. This is to avoid a situation where many people after attaining academic qualification just go straight to practice and identify themselves with the tile of "Engineer so and so" yet for one to be called an Engineer they must be approved by an official body that certifies one to practice.
The board shall ensure that all practicing engineers adhere to the nous and standards of the profession and Mininfra is working along with the Rwanda Bureau of Standards to put in place the regulations that shall govern engineering works starting with the construction industry. The document further that regulation of engineers like other sectors in the utility industry remains the duty of Rwanda Utilities and Regulation Authority with the ministry providing policy guidelines.
A deal between government and an American gas extraction firm Contour Global that was due to be signed today has been extended to the end of January on the request of the firm.
The Energy Coordinator in the Ministry of Infrastructure Yusuf Uwamohoro said there were a couple of issues that both parties are working upon before the final deal is signed "at the end of this month." Contour Global is contracted to extract methane gas from Lake Kivu and last month the firm in partnership with government began supplying Gisenyi town with gas, their pilot project producing 2 megawatts of electricity from gas. Contour Global has targeted output of gas up to 100 megawatts from L.Kivu, the deal that was due to be signed today is part of negotiations to achieve that goal.
Uwamahoro said that government and the Americans were working on 'one or two issues and we have shifted the deal to be signed at the end of this month." He added that Contour Global was signing two agreements, one-a gas concession with government allowing for the extraction and another-power purchase agreement with Electrogaz, the national electricity supplying corporation. When extraction begins, Electrogaz will buy methane gas from Contour Global and sell it on the open market at a proposed tariff of 6 cents (of US dollars) per kilowatt according to the interim Director General of the government’s methane gas project (UPEGAZ), Charles Nyirahuku.
Nyirahuku added that in the future private companies interested in gas extraction on L. Kivu will deal with Rwandan Investment Group and Contour Global the only the two companies with government permission for extraction.
In a recent interview Alex Kabuto the Director General of the Gisenyi based pilot project for gas extraction said that Contour Global was in the process acquiring and installing new machinery and would soon increase output to between 50-100 megawatts. The Minister of Energy and water Albert Butare said that L.Kivu has potential to produce 350 mw which will solve many of national energy shortfalls, official statistics in the Infrastructural Ministry state that currently less than 2 percent of Rwandans have access to electricty.
Methane gas has long been considered as the solution of Rwanda energy requirements, exploration works on the lake began in 1963 by a Belgian company. Today government, the International Finance Corporation with other donors are financing the methane projects.
In a related development Butare has clarified on the position of the soon to be launched Rwanda Engineers Registry Board. The minister was on Sunday responding to recent media reports that his ministry was due to start registering engineers of all domains across the country. Butare said that the Institution of Engineers of Rwanda-IER was already registered and is soon to be launched, "the essential job of IER is to strengthen professionalism in the field and will act as a forum for senior and young engineers for exchange of ideas, knowledge and experience within a particular engineering profession."
An official document from Mininfra sates that the ministry is in the process of establishing the Engineers Registration Board which, once approved by cabinet and enacted into law shall introduce procedures through which engineering professionals will be allowed to practice. This is to avoid a situation where many people after attaining academic qualification just go straight to practice and identify themselves with the tile of "Engineer so and so" yet for one to be called an Engineer they must be approved by an official body that certifies one to practice.
The board shall ensure that all practicing engineers adhere to the nous and standards of the profession and Mininfra is working along with the Rwanda Bureau of Standards to put in place the regulations that shall govern engineering works starting with the construction industry. The document further that regulation of engineers like other sectors in the utility industry remains the duty of Rwanda Utilities and Regulation Authority with the ministry providing policy guidelines.
National engineering body to be introduced by Mininfra
National engineering body to be introduced by Mininfra
BY GEORGE KAGAME
Engineers in the country will soon be required to register their activities and specialization with the Ministry of Infrastructure according to new government regulations.
This was revealed on Friday by Albert Butare State minister in charge of Energy and water said in a telephone interview. "the Institution of Engineers in Rwanda will be inaugurated soon and will register all professionals in the field so as to be able to ensure that quality of work and standards are adhered to by engineers in all domains." Butare however added that the Infrastructural Ministry is not taking over the role of Rwandan Bureau of Standards but said that the ministry is working with RBS to set the necessary framework where the quality supervising body will be able to check engineers approved by the ministry.
He emphasized that there will be no duplication of roles between the RBS and Mininfra adding that the decision to form an engineers body was already enacted into law after passing cabinet approval and is only awaiting official inauguration he however didnot clarify when the body would be launched.
The registration of engineers comes at a time when the construction sector in the country is in boom and fears abound about the quality of especially high rise buildings mushrooming throughout the country especially in urban places. It also comes at a time when the national skills audit report which was used to scrap certain conditions of particular skills identified engineering as one of the fields in the country that needs to attract more labour in the country.
"All engineers in the country in all their domains will be required to subscribe with us. We have set up basic qualifications standards. body will be allowed to practice engineering without registering", Butare said.
Robert Muganga a Kacyiru based engineer welcomed the initiative saying that it will help to ensure that it will simplify their work as contracts will be awarded according to proven qualification and competence.
BY GEORGE KAGAME
Engineers in the country will soon be required to register their activities and specialization with the Ministry of Infrastructure according to new government regulations.
This was revealed on Friday by Albert Butare State minister in charge of Energy and water said in a telephone interview. "the Institution of Engineers in Rwanda will be inaugurated soon and will register all professionals in the field so as to be able to ensure that quality of work and standards are adhered to by engineers in all domains." Butare however added that the Infrastructural Ministry is not taking over the role of Rwandan Bureau of Standards but said that the ministry is working with RBS to set the necessary framework where the quality supervising body will be able to check engineers approved by the ministry.
He emphasized that there will be no duplication of roles between the RBS and Mininfra adding that the decision to form an engineers body was already enacted into law after passing cabinet approval and is only awaiting official inauguration he however didnot clarify when the body would be launched.
The registration of engineers comes at a time when the construction sector in the country is in boom and fears abound about the quality of especially high rise buildings mushrooming throughout the country especially in urban places. It also comes at a time when the national skills audit report which was used to scrap certain conditions of particular skills identified engineering as one of the fields in the country that needs to attract more labour in the country.
"All engineers in the country in all their domains will be required to subscribe with us. We have set up basic qualifications standards. body will be allowed to practice engineering without registering", Butare said.
Robert Muganga a Kacyiru based engineer welcomed the initiative saying that it will help to ensure that it will simplify their work as contracts will be awarded according to proven qualification and competence.
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