Rwanda has received $9 million from the Howard G. Buffet Foundation, for upgrading the Rubavu post along the border with the Democratic Republic Congo.
Work will take the next 18 months. Rubavu will then meet the required standards of a proper functional border post and reduce the overall transit time for cargo and passengers while easing trade and commerce. Christian Rwakunda said while launching the ground breaking ceremony to mark the commencement of the border post upgrade at former La Croniche border post referred to us as Grande Barrierein Rubavu district, Western province last week:
This border post will significantly enhance mobility of people and goods from both countries which will promote cross border trade and therefore intensify regional economic growth through the promotion of market integration, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Infrastructure.
It will again increase peace and security since when people trade together there’s more peace than fighting, plus it will increase revenue for Rwanda because of more trade that will be created at the border post.
The border post upgrade will be in line with the Rubavu District master plan and that of other border posts.
This project will cover the construction of the borders post facilities, which include the main building to accommodate all services, passenger car parking and handling facilities, warehouses as well as heavy truck transit parking.
This is aimed at improving border crossing efficiency and cut down unnecessary costs which are due to duplication of operations.
“This is kind of a dream to see both sides (Rwanda and DRC) sitting together with one purpose and one goal,” Howard Buffet said.
He said “We believe this is one opportunity to work together with many more to come up”.
“This means much better environment for trade and commerce for the two countries and people will be able to work together freely and easily which will help achieve big goals together,” Buffet said.
Buffet recognized the great progress made on the side of Rwanda which is because of the support provided by the Rwandan government.
Rwanda and DRC trade both agricultural and livestock products.
This is why the Rwandan government aims at increasing working hours at the border post to 24hours which will promote doing business for the Rwandan business community at the post hence help the country develop.
The Rwanda Transport Development Agency (RTDA) shall be the implementing agency on behalf of the GoR. It shall closely follow up implementation of the project together with the Howard Buffet foundation which is the main financier.
The Howard Buffet foundation looks at funding future border posts including the one in the north with Uganda.
The existing facilities at la Corniche border post between Rubavu in Rwanda and Goma in DRC has become archaic which called for an upgrade to reduce the overall transit time for cargo and passengers.
