EU to grant €8 million for renovation of parliament

The EU has signed an agreement with Rwanda for a €8-million (US $9.7 million) grant for the renovation of the parliamentary complex and for a new building for the Ministry of Justice and Supreme Court, the EU Ambassador to Rwanda told IRIN on Monday.

The agreement was signed on Friday in the Rwandan capital, Kigali. Ambassador Jeremy Lester said that the grant would be disbursed as soon as the tendering process for construction was completed.

"The five buildings of the parliamentary complex will be rehabilitated to offer a modern, equipped framework for work," he said.

The parliamentary building, which was severely bombarded during the 1994 Rwandan genocide, will consume €5 million ($6.1 million) while the remainder will go to the Ministry of Justice and Supreme Court buildings.

Lester said work on the parliament was expected to begin within three months. When complete, the building will house the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies.

The EU also signed an agreement with the Kigali City Council for money to repair 12 kilometres of road in the city.

In addition to direct budgetary support, the EU helps to finance different projects in areas of poverty reduction, infrastructure and the justice sector, Lester said.