{"id":85033,"date":"2024-09-20T16:37:36","date_gmt":"2024-09-20T16:37:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/all-news\/50-years-of-crbc-in-rwanda-how-a-burera-road-project-is-poised-to-drive-regional-growth"},"modified":"2024-09-20T17:22:41","modified_gmt":"2024-09-20T17:22:41","slug":"50-years-of-crbc-in-rwanda-how-a-burera-road-project-is-poised-to-drive-regional-growth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/economy\/50-years-of-crbc-in-rwanda-how-a-burera-road-project-is-poised-to-drive-regional-growth","title":{"rendered":"50 years of CRBC in Rwanda: How a Burera road project is poised to drive regional growth"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Rwanda. <\/strong><\/span>Road construction is a test of endurance, not only for the locals who wait for the finished product but also for the workers making it happen. Few understand this better than someone who\u2019s been part of the industry for five decades.<\/p>\n

After travelling 77 kilometres from Kigali to Burera, we were greeted by Bruce Julian, a youthful-looking assistant project manager on a China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) project in northern Rwanda. Julian led us along the expressway set to become the Base-Butaro-Kidaho road, stretching 63 kilometres.<\/p>\n

Julian, a graduate of a Chinese engineering university, has been with CRBC for five years. \u201cMy main focus is bridging the gap between the work on-site, administration, and local authorities,\u201d he shared. \u201cI\u2019m the link between the project and the outside world, handling public relations and coordinating safety campaigns.\u201d As we drove through the dusty, uneven road, Julian explained how he manages community outreach.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a big difference now,\u201d said Olive Dusabemariya, a mother of three. \u201cFrom here, Salamu to Musanze used to cost Rwf1,500, but now with the improved road, it\u2019s about a third of that. Even bicycles are functioning again\u2014they didn\u2019t before. The kids are back to their routines, though we have to be cautious with the heavy machinery around.<\/p>\n

Li Bing, an engineer and project manager for CRBC\u2019s Base-Butaro-Kidaho road project during the interview<\/p>\n

\u201cIn terms of development, we\u2019ve started seeing more small business owners emerge. You can sell potatoes and make a decent income these days. We\u2019re excited to see what the future holds once the road is fully complete.\u201d<\/p>\n

Francois Sendegeye, a father of 16 who has lived in the area for over 70 years, reflected on the changes: \u201cThe road used to be so narrow, but now it\u2019s been widened to accommodate several vehicles. Movement was limited, and getting an ambulance to respond was a real challenge, but that\u2019s changing. We\u2019ve even gotten electricity from the grid. Now, water is the next issue we hope to see addressed.\u201d<\/p>\n

This year, CRBC celebrates 50 years in Rwanda<\/p>\n

Sendegeye also highlighted how local jobs and learning opportunities have been invaluable, a point echoed by Julian. \u201cThe main contribution of CRBC in Rwanda is the transfer of skills,\u201d Julian explained. \u201cWe have engineers from abroad, particularly China, working alongside local teams. With each project, you see young Rwandans gaining experience and skills from their international colleagues.<\/p>\n

\u201cCRBC has built around 2,000 kilometres of roads and bridges across the country, but the biggest legacy is the knowledge we leave behind. The technology and equipment may come from China, but the real impact is in the exchange of skills. Even the Chinese workers pick up some Kinyarwanda. It\u2019s become a cultural exchange as much as a construction project, fostering deeper ties between Rwanda and China.\u201d<\/p>\n

Li Bing, an engineer and project manager for CRBC\u2019s Base-Butaro-Kidaho road project, a joint venture spanning 63 kilometres of roads and bridges, explained the partnership: \u201cWe\u2019re working alongside NPD, with them leading the project and CRBC as the foreign partner. We\u2019re combining efforts on this road, with NPD responsible for the section from Base to Butaro, and us overseeing the stretch from Butaro to Kidaho.\u201d<\/p>\n

When asked about the project\u2019s impact on the local communities, both during and after construction, he shared: \u201cOnce we began, we needed many workers. Initially, we brought in employees from previous contractors based in Kigali and other cities, but now, in my section alone, we have over 300 local workers. More than 70 per cent of the workforce comes from the surrounding areas.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter construction, the road will provide better access to the local hospital and university, benefiting the community in education and healthcare.\u201d<\/p>\n

Li Bing also highlighted the economic potential the road will unlock: \u201cWe\u2019re close to the Ugandan border, and many goods are transported along this route. Once the road is complete, traffic won\u2019t need to rely on the Musanze road anymore. This new road will offer a faster connection from Uganda to Kigali, which will be a major advantage for the region.\u201d<\/p>\n

On the challenges faced, he noted: \u201cTraffic management has been our biggest issue, especially from Kidaho to Butaro. The terrain is steep, with many rocks, and the road runs alongside Burera Lake, so we have to be mindful of environmental protection. Transporting materials long distances to designated dumping sites is necessary to meet environmental standards.\u201d<\/p>\n

He continued: \u201cAnother challenge is keeping the road open during construction. The current road is narrow, and we occasionally block traffic with construction materials. To address this, we keep a wheel loader on standby near the worksite. When debris falls onto the road, we immediately clear it to ensure vehicles can pass smoothly.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnother challenge we face is the safety of local children,\u201d Li Bing shared. \u201cMany of them aren\u2019t yet in school or haven\u2019t been educated about road safety. With so many vehicles and heavy machinery passing through, it can be dangerous. In other countries, like China, we would close off the construction area to prevent access for safety reasons. But here, it\u2019s different. The children are curious\u2014they\u2019ve never seen such machines before. Once we start working, they often come to watch, like it\u2019s a movie.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut it\u2019s risky, so we\u2019ve made every effort to educate the community. At the end of last month, we organised a football match at the local playground. During the event, we held safety training sessions for the children and parents, with the mayor and the DPC from the police station leading the discussions. They emphasised the importance of parents keeping a close eye on their children around the construction sites.\u201d<\/p>\n

Li Bing expressed the project\u2019s core mission: \u201cOur goal is to bring value to the local community and make sure people can enjoy the road safely. We don\u2019t want to see any accidents, especially ones involving children.\u201d<\/p>\n

As for progress, he noted, \u201cFrom Kidaho to Butaro is about 23 kilometres, and CRBC has completed around 14 kilometres of the earthwork, which is almost half. However, we are still facing challenges with expropriation, as some local houses remain in the area.\u201d<\/p>\n

For an area that once struggled with impassable roads during the rainy season, this new road is set to be a game changer. With the rise of the University of Global Health Equity, a premier institution in Butaro, and the Butaro Level II Teaching Hospital, the region is beginning to experience real growth.<\/p>\n

Locals are now eyeing opportunities in hospitality, thanks to the road\u2019s proximity to Lake Burera. As CRBC celebrates 50 years in Rwanda, they take pride in being a part of this transformation.<\/p>\n\r\n