The PIC operates through the NELSAP Coordination Unit (NELSAP CU) which facilitates the preparation process, manages financial resources and builds sub-regional capacity for continued preparation and implementation of projects.
The objective of the meeting was to discuss the progress of the Regional Rusumo Falls Hydroelectric and Multi-purpose Project, analyze and endorse the institutional and financing arrangements and review the possibilities of fast tracking the implementation of the Project.
In her opening remark Hon. Coletha Ruhamya, the Minister of State in Charge of Energy and Water of Rwanda expressed concerns of the countries over the delays on the Rusumo and reiterated that now was the time to dispel these concerns and address the challenges as well as agree on the institutional and financing frameworks for the project. The Minister affirmed the potential of hydro power as a source of green energy at this time when climate change had become a major international concern. She thanked the development partners, anticipating their continued technical and financial support and congratulated the NELSAP-CU, requesting that the momentum is maintained as the implementation phase approaches.
Earlier on, Mr. Humphrey Ndwiga, the NBI representative, on behalf of the Executive Director, reminded the forum of the objectives of the NBI and the progress made in both the political and technical fronts. He mentioned the financial sustainability hurdle likely to be faced by the NBI beyond 2012 and expressed optimism that with the support of the governments this would be overcome. On the Rusumo project in particular, the NBI representative requested for support through the ministries of finance of the three governments.
In his statement, Hon. Adam Malima, the Tanzanian Deputy Minister of Energy and Minerals reaffirmed Tanzania’s commitment to the Rusumo project stating that for his government, the Rusumo project was a priority energy project to address current power shortages and to provide its people affordable, sustainable and reliable energy. He mentioned that the completion of the preparation studies was now a matter of urgency in order to commence implementation of the project.
Hon. Moise Bucumi, Minister of Energy and Mines from Burundi said that the government of Burundi has high expectations from Rusumo and significant interest in its multipurpose components. He further added that, Burundi supports all regional cooperation and reaffirms its commitment to regional cooperation especially on power development.
On behalf of the development partners, the WB representative Mr. Satoru Ueda, underscored the fact that the under development of energy resources had stagnated economic growth in the region, he nevertheless commended the countries for working closely to overcome the challenges faced in the development of energy resources and reiterated that in order to bring this integration to fruition investment projects such as Rusumo were essential. He mentioned that Rusumo had made progress in the preparation processes and the studies were expected to be delivered by the end of October 2011.
Three presentations were made during the reporting session. These were Rusumo Falls Project Status, Status of the Power Plant Feasibility Study, Environment and Social Impact Assessment, Resettlement Action Plan, Local Area Development Plan, Institutional and Financing arrangements and Report of the Project Implementation Committee
The Ministers adopted the PIC report and gave the following recommendations among others:
i. undertake in-depth analysis and provide the exact figures of the project affected persons (PAPs)
ii. Increase engagement with all the actors involved in the project to enable streamlining the project into national plans and strategies.
iii. Honor the time frame to ensure no more delays
iv. The schedule and delivery timeframe of the studies will be maintained at 27th October 2011 in accordance with the contract.
The meeting was attended by Ministers in Charge of Energy from the three partner countries, the Project Implementation Committee (PIC) Members, representatives of Ministries of Environment and Lands, NELTAC members from the three countries, NBI Representative, Representatives of the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the World Bank (WB), Representative of Germany, India, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, SNC Lavalin Consultant, Fichtner Consultant, the Project Transaction Advisor and NELSAP-CU staff. On the following day the participants visited the Rusumo project site at the border of Rwanda and Tanzania.
By Elimasia Mngumi, DCO, NELSAP