BUJUMBURA, April 9th (ABP) – The National Assembly adopted on Friday, April 5, 2024, the bill ratifying by the Republic of Burundi, the additional financing agreement for the Jiji and Murembwe hydroelectric project. That project was presented by the Minister in charge of hydraulics and energy Mr. Ibrahim Uwizeye.
Minister Ibrahim Uwizeye reminded deputies that the government of Burundi, through the ministry in charge of finance, concluded, on February 15, 2024, an additional financing agreement for the Jiji and Murembwe hydroelectric project, for an amount of 50,000,000 US dollars with the International Development Association (IDA). In total, he said, the government of the Republic of Burundi needs additional financing amounting to 102,000,000 US dollars.
Minister Uwizeye pointed out some major challenges that hampered the execution of that project. Those include the monetary fluctuation in the amounts allocated by development partners at the time of the initial financing agreements in 2013, the significant variation in works for the Jiji and Murembwe hydroelectric developments and substations as well as associated lines, caused by changes in design and sizing of the works following changes in soil conditions, increase in prices of materials on the international market , the extension of work completion deadlines due to Covid-19 as well as additional work not initially planned.
The minister reported that the overall rate of execution of the development works of those hydroelectric power stations amounts to 62.5%. He also clarified that the probable date of completion of works for the Jiji hydroelectric power station is projected for the month of December that year while the construction works of the Murembwe hydroelectric power station could be completed in the first quarter of the year 2025.