The repair work on the RN3 is slowing down. The execution rate of the works reaches only 35%. To continue the work, the government intends to mobilize more than FBu 18 billion.
The rehabilitation of the RN3 on its Magara-Gitaza section requires new studies.
The country continues to implement its policy of building national roads in a state of defect in order to facilitate road transport. The rehabilitation of road number 3 Bujumbura-Rumonge section falls within this framework.
The Council of Ministers of March 13 gave its approval to mobilize a sum of 18,607,517,500 FBu necessary for the resumption of construction work on the RN3. As of February 28, 2023, the completion rate for the construction of this road hovered around 35% while the consumption of deadlines was 75%, we read in the report of the Council of Ministers.
The Franco-Burundian tandem at the helm
This RN3 construction project is being carried out in two phases. This is primarily the Rumonge-Magara section which will cover a length of 30 km. The SOGEA SATOM-GETRA consortium will be responsible for repairing this part. On the other hand, the 15 km Magara-Gitaza section requires new studies before its repair. The Minister of Finance has been asked to make available the budget allocated to this project so that it can be implemented.
A more complex project than expected
The revision of this project is due to climate change and deterioration of the environment among others. The rise in the water level of Lake Tanganyika since 2019 has made it necessary to add costly works of a port nature to protect the shore of Lake Tanganyika between Gitaza, Magara and Kagongo over a length of 8 km. The members of the government propose the adoption of a new structure of roadway integrating a new layer which generates an additional cost.
In addition, landslides require the addition of stabilization works. It is the same for the overflows of the rivers which oblige to enlarge the works and to add new ones. The incident of the extension of deadlines affects the project by registering a delay of approximately 12 months which has a financial impact.
A glimmer of hope is on the horizon
The road network rehabilitation policy has already proven its worth in the town hall of Bujumbura and on the main axes, in particular the RN1. Last October, the World Bank promised to disburse 120 million USD which will be used to update the feasibility studies and the execution of works on a 25 km stretch on the Bujumbura – Kanyosha – Mugere – Kabezi – Gitaza section.
