Members of the Parliamentary Accounts Committee (PAC) are at odds with Rwanda’s Agriculture and Animal Resources Board (RAB) over the plan to import engines worth Rwf 2.5 billion for use in irrigation testing for just one month.
This issue came up when RAB officials appeared before PAC on Monday, June 30.
Lawmakers questioned why the ETI Mpanga irrigation project in Kirehe District had failed to reach its targets due to unreliable electricity supply, yet RAB still wanted to purchase electric motors for short-term water-lifting tests.
Typically, the ETI Mpanga project is meant to use the national grid, but in August, RAB intends to use temporary motors before switching to grid power.
MP Eugène Mussolini asked why RAB intended to spend over Rwf 2 billion on electric motors when extending the electricity line from Kirehe to Nyamugari would be cheaper—and ensure the power remained integrated into the grid.
He added: “Explain how we are adding to the project’s costs when it hasn’t yet delivered results.”
PAC Chair Valens Muhakwa criticized the decision to buy motors just for test purposes, noting that RAB previously said the project was fully operational.
Olivier Kamana, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, responded that the engines are national assets and will be used temporarily until power stations are built. Afterwards, they can be repurposed for rural electrification or emergency use.
MP Muhakwa countered that this was a plan by EDCL (the national electricity developer), not RAB, calling it an attempt to pass blame.
Dr. Telesphore Ndabamenye, RAB’s CEO, said they are in talks with REG (Energy Utility) and MININFRA (Infrastructure Ministry) to secure grid electricity. Until then, they need motors to conduct baseline testing of the water pumps.
When asked about the cost comparison between temporary motors and grid supply, RAB conceded they had not prepared detailed financial forecasts.
Muhakwa added: “The Auditor-General asked: if the motor runs only for one month, how much area can it irrigate? Would it be cheaper to lease? What benefit does this bring compared to waiting for a year for electricity?”
He also asked whether the project will proceed after tests or wait for grid access. Dr. Ndabamenye answered that the initial testing duty will proceed, and the decision to procure the motors is final and cannot be reversed.
