President Paul Kagame, alongside first lady Jeannette Kagame on Friday, launched a new eco-friendly housing estate in Nyarugenge District, Kigali.
The development follows an agreement signed between Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and ADHI Corporate Group, a construction company established in Gabon more than ten years ago.
Upon his arrival, Kagame and the first lady toured five housing models showcased as a sample to the guests.
The leaders were accompanied by various high ranked government officials at the ceremony hosted in the Karama neighbourhood.
ADHI plans to construct more than 2400 housing units in Kigali through five phases. The first phase, currently under construction, will see 252 units complete by 2022.
The head of state said that the initiative demonstrates what is possible in Rwanda’s sector for the past years’, made little progress.
“To have it affordable, sustainable, and most of it arrived through local materials, I think is the best combination we can have,” he said.
However, he pointed out that the launch was only the beginning, citing that more was required to make significant progress.
“More work is still needed. Training of our people has to take place, materials that have to be accessed locally. The sustainability model is self-explanatory.”
Rwanda, Kagame said, has been an excellent partner to ADHI and that the launch requires a strengthened partnership.
“We should do whatever is possible to have Rwandans access these houses in big numbers.”
Soleman Idd, the ADHI Chairman, highlighted that the construction method is innovative, leading to market preference.
“Our construction method is innovative yet uses proven technologies and materials that, when combined, result in faster, cheaper, stronger and long-lasting buildings.”
He added, “Our built houses suffer minimum impact from the weather, seismic damage, wind and fire, rust, rot, and humidity. With our in-house training, skill development, certification and tools, we also empower both genders economically.”
According to officials, the Bwiza Riverside affordable homes project is expected to cost over $100 million.
With patented construction technology that uses modular parts, pre-made in a factory, for “plug-and-play” construction, the developers say the project aims to be environmentally friendly in its construction methods and community layouts.
The method results in 53% on-site energy savings and future cost savings for homeowners.
Bwiza Riverside will use green infrastructure to develop a sustainable community with a low carbon footprint.
The development comes when Rwanda aims to create 150,000 new dwellings annually to meet the projected demand of 5.5 million houses by 2050.
The New Times (Kigali)
