National Policy for Water Resources Management.

With this Policy the Government of Rwanda is outlining its vision for the water resources management sub-sector. It replaces the 2004, which was ill-aligned with the Water Law No. 62/2008. The Act embodies many modern and cutting-edge principles of sustainable water resources, which are not reflected in the 2004 water policy. Additionally, the Government has been introducing reforms in the water sector that have significantly changed the context for water resources management and rendered the 2004 policy out of date. This Policy firmly puts Rwanda on the path for sustainable water resources management. The Policy together with its Strategic Action Plan will make it possible for Government to embark on systematic development of the water resources management sub-sector.
The Policy starts out by describing the contextual background of the water sector, dealing also with closely-related issues such as climate, the socio-economic situation, agriculture and related sectors, energy, forestry, mining, industry, investment and eco-tourism. Also, an overview of the governance, legal and institutional framework and the regional and international context is given. The Policy also outlines existing conditions that can be conducive for a positive development of the water sector and challenges for the sector. In light of these subsector opportunities and challenges, the Policy provides clear vision, mission, objectives and policy actions to be pursued in achieving sustainable water resources management. It also sets out the principles of water resources management and conservation. Those principles include, among other things, the human righ to water, Integrated Water Resources Management, participatory water resources management, catchment-based water resources management.
The overall goal pursued in this Policy is to manage and develop the water resources of Rwanda in an integrated and sustainable manner, so as to secure and provide water of adequate quantity and quality for all social and economic needs of the present and future generations with the full participation of all stakeholders in decisions affecting water resources management. The objectives of this Policy are to: (a) Provide a comprehensive and suitable policy framework that will strengthen the Government’s ability to conserve and protect Rwanda’s water resources (b) Provide a legal and institutional framework for water resources conservation and management throughout the country and at trans-boundary level. (c) Promote partnerships, incentives and benefit sharing to enhance water resources conservation and management. (d) Provide a framework for equitable allocation of water resources and the sharing of benefits derived from that resource. (e) Promote positive attitudes towards water resources conservation and management. The Policy defines 38 strategic actions to facilitate achievement of policy objectives and goals. These strategic objectives are placed under policy statements regarding - water resources conservation; water allocation; the policy, legal and institutional framework; shared water resources; climate change resilience; capacity building; financing arrangements; cross-cutting issues (including gender-equality).
As for the implementation of the Policy, five-year strategic plans will be developed. These provide a framework for participatory water resources governance, in which all stakeholders, including private sector, civil society and local user communities, will play an active role. The Ministry of Natural Resources (MINIRENA) will provide the overall policy guidance and supervision, and monitor how it is being implemented in relation to other national policies. The Policy also deals with financial and legal implications and. Implementation of this policy will require the review of the current Water Law No. 62/2008 and drafting appropriate decrees in order to provide adequate legal backing and facilitate its smooth implementation. The existing legal framework does not provide clarity on some aspects of Integrated Water Resource Managements such as: International and regional conventions that are related to management of water resources; Norms and standards relevant to the use and management of water resources; Institutional arrangements, and more the responsibilities devolved to various institutions; Procedures for acquiring water permits, licences or concessions; Penalties for water pollution and permits for applying for effluent discharges; Authorisation for dams constructions, or any other structure on water bodies including canal creation, river beds modifications.