Launch of Institutional Biogas Projects in 3 Schools in Southern Province
On August 19, 2010 The Hon. Minister of State in charge of Energy and Water; Eng. Coletha U. RUHAMYA and a Delegation from The Ministry of Infrastructure paid a visit to “Groupe Scolaire Saint Joseph »-Kabgayi, Muhanga District, « Groupe Scolaire Notre Dame de Lourde » (Ruhango District) and « Ecole des Sciences de Byimana »-Marists Brothers (Ruhango District).
At “Groupe Scolaire Notre Dame de Lourdes”, The Minister of State…told pupils to be self confident. She reminded them that His Excellency The President of The Republic is very active in promoting gender and women. She encouraged pupils to choose sciences as one of the main option that will help them build a strong career. The Hon. Minister of State promised students to come back with a Representative from The Ministry of Education for the inauguration of the launched Biogas Projects in three schools in Southern Province. She encouraged them to learn more and more before expressing her wishes to them: Blessings from God.
The Director of Tumba College of Technology (TCT), Eng. GATABAZI, introduced “TCT” and taught students to be able to assess their opportunities, get their benefits and develop themselves and the country as a whole. He told the gathering at the colorful launch that Directors of the three schools have played a considerable role in fulfilling the requirements to host Biogas Projects. The TCT Director thanked these Directors, Ministry of Infrastructure and a Group of Trainees for their smooth collaboration. According to him 51 Trainees are enrolled in the current Biogas Program. Training of trainers started in 2009 when MININFRA, TCT and SNV trained 25 Practitioners in domestic Biogas (January 2009) and 41 Practitioners in Institutional Biogas (July 2009). TCT builds Biogas Digesters for domestic use and TCT Pupils practice. Currently TCT completed Biogas projects in 5 households. In 2009, 44 Pupils graduated from TCT in the option of “Alternative energy course”. 53 Pupils are undergoing industrial attachment and are expected to graduate this year (2010). The TCT Director reiterated that Schools/Biogas Projects Implementers have to ensure proper maintenance of these Projects.
At the launch, The Mayor of Ruhango welcomed Hon. Minister of State in Charge of Energy and Water in his own name and on behalf of The Governor of The Southern Province who was not there because of other urgent responsibilities. The Mayor thanked The Ministry of Infrastructure for Biogas Projects and conveyed the message of Thanks to The Hon. Minister of State in order to be forwarded to H.E. The President of The Republic; Paul KAGAME. “Thank you very much for the Computer Laboratory promised and given to us by H.E. The President of The Republic.” He concluded by thanking all stakeholders for their relentless collaboration so as to speed up development.
The Trainees Representative started his speech by introducing the Project’s background: Some of The Trainees at the Biogas site were trained from KIST, Others in TCT (Rulindo) and currently in Ruhango. He told The Hon. Minister of State… and invited guests that all trainees in Biogas Projects have the willingness to protect the environment. He concluded by requesting The Hon. Minister of State…to tell H.E. The President of The Republic that “Twishimiye intsinzi, tukuri inyuma” (We have been overjoyed by Your Landslide Election Victory, we are Your followers).
Launching the Institutional Biogas Project in three secondary schools of Southern Province, The Hon. Minister of State in charge of Energy and Water dispatched the Heartfelt Greetings of H.E. The President of the Republic and told attendees that The MININFRA delegation paid a visit as part of monitoring project activities that are a trigger to the country’s development. The Hon. Minister of State…said that Biogas Projects protect the environment by reducing the source of energy from wood, making effective use of waste materials and improving the population’s life style.
The Hon. Minister advised trainees to be the best they can be by upgrading their skills so as to have local capacity. The Hon. Minister of State… said that once they get enough expertise, they can organize them and register trading companies to work with Public and Private Institutions. She told them that they should encourage their female fellows to join them in learning how to operate or implement Biogas Projects. She highlighted that maintenance is the key and that Trainees should be great role models. The Hon. Minister of State in charge of Energy and Water; Hon. Eng. Coletha U. RUHAMYA presented thanks to the three schools Administration and urged them to sensitize other schools in hosting such development projects.
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