Gitarama - Ngororero - Mukamira Road Project The proposed project consists of the reconstruction of the National Road from Gitarama to Mukamira and upgrading the existing road to an all weather asphalt road over a length of 102.6 kilometres. This road section constitutes a vital stretch linking the capital city Kigali to lake Kivu and further to the Democratic Republic of Congo (D.R.C.). 

The project objectives will be achieved through the following components:
1) Civil works:
The road has been designed with a reference speed of 80km/h and 60km/h for limited lengths, with a three-course asphalt concrete surface. The road will have a width of 6 m (dual carriage way of 3.0m) with shoulders of 1.5 m on either side (single layer pavement). Drainage works and the construction of culverts have been identified. Landscaping and environmental measures will be undertaken. To enhance safety, traffic signs will be installed along the road. 

The proposed works will be conducted in three distinct sections for the main road  and have been defined separately for the feeder roads:
 
a) Rehabilitation of the surfaced section Gitarama-Ngororero (46.6 km), 
b) Upgrading of the gravel-earth section of Ngororero-Kabaya to a bituminous surface (30 km) 
c) Rehabilitation of the surfaced section Kabaya-Mukamira (26km). 
d) Reconstruction and upgrading of selected feeder roads adjacent to the project road (76 km). 

2) Project Control and Supervision:

Consultancy services will be required to assist the Executing Agency in the selection of the contractor and to ensure the supervision and control of works. An environmental engineer will be recruited to provide training on environmental matters preventive measures to the staff of the Directorate of Roads.

3) Institutional Support:

1. Technical assistance and training of the staff at the Directorate of Roads to  establish a road management system.
2. Acquisition and installation of equipment for the Roads Database System (DBR) and testing materials (laboratory and in-situ),
3. Training for the staff of the Directorate of Roads to enhance staff capacities in the utilisation of information systems technologies and language skills. 
4. Conducting and awareness campaign in road safety matters, environment protection and the fight against waterborne diseases, STIs  and HIV/AIDS. An estimated 15,000 people of the project area will benefit of this campaign. 

4) Project Management: 
The Project Monitoring and Coordination Unit established for the Road Infrastructure Project presently being financed by the AfDB will be entrusted with the follow-up of project activities. This Unit has been established at the Directorate of Roads and comprises a coordinator, a roads engineer, an environment specialist and an accountant. The Unit will be strengthened with the appointment of an engineer specifically recruited for the proposed project. The project accounts will be audited on a yearly basis by an independent auditing firm. 

The project total costs are estimated at US$ 54.52 million, with a foreign exchange component of approx. US$ 43.66 million (80%). These costs are based on the estimates prepared in June 2004 and on the findings of the appraisal mission conducted in August 2004. Unit price costs have been determined on the basis of ongoing contracts for similar works. Physical contingencies in the range of 10% have been foreseen for civil works. Cost estimates include 3% p.a. for eventual price fluctuations in foreign currency and 6% in local currency