Japanese 'Do-Nou' tech transforms rural road maintenance in Kayonza

Residents of Rwinkwavu Sector are embracing Do-Nou technology, ushering in a significant shift in the maintenance of feeder roads throughout Kayonza. This innovative approach is revolutionizing transportation for locals, facilitating easier commutes and the movement of goods to main roads. ALSO READ: Japanese NGO, Govt partner to elevate rural infrastructure As the second-largest district in the Eastern province, Kayonza is endowed with numerous rural murram roads, including one that branches off the Rwinkwavu main road. Gerard Nsanzineza and other residents of the area, testify that traversing this road was once an arduous task, especially during the rainy seasons when impassable mud and erosion-induced gullies rendered it nearly unusable. The road was very impassable during rainy seasons; gullies from soil erosion and the nature of the soil made it difficult to pass; no bicycle or motorcycle could ride in the mud, Nsanzineza says. Potholes and slippery surfaces compounded the challenges, hindering transportation of produce and making commuting a daunting endeavor for the rural community. ALSO READ: How Rwanda and Japan have deepened diplomatic relations Today, however, thanks to the adoption of Japanese Do-Nou technology, this once dilapidated road has undergone a remarkable transformation. It now offers a smooth and well-maintained passage, enabling locals to transport their goods more efficiently and facilitating smoother commutes. Obedi Ntakirutimana, an engineer and Do-Nou technology expert at Community Road Empowerment (CORE), says damaged sections of the road are compacted using gunny bags, a technique that can maintain roads for up to a decade under appropriate traffic conditions. The compacted Do-Nou road boasts a remarkable bearing capacity, allowing trucks weighing up to 25 tonnes to pass through. Hope Munganyinka, the Vice Mayor in charge of Economic development in Kayonza, praised the effectiveness of the technique, emphasizing its affordability and accessibility due to the use of locally available materials and tools. Training initiatives have empowered community members to replicate the approach independently, ensuring sustainability. Do-nou, derived from the Japanese term for enclosing soil in gunny bags, involves filling these bags with sand, gravel, or murram, and compacting them to create a smooth surface conducive to travel. ALSO READ: Rwanda, Japan celebrate milestone in energy sector development Implemented by CORE in Kayonza and other districts, this technology is part of a broader initiative aimed at training communities in rural road maintenance techniques. Isao Fukushima, Ambassador of Japan to Rwanda, highlighted Japan’s support for the project, with substantial funding allocated for infrastructure development. For this project in particular, we have allocated $ 324,000 in Kayonza to establish the technology, but also 600 million Japanese Yen for the national road construction, overall, the assistance of infrastructure development accounts for $ 203 million.

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