KIGALI SCIENCE FELLOW REQUEST

UNCLAS KIGALI 000443

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR AF/C
DEPARTMENT FOR OES/STC SHIRLEY HART, JULIA ROTTIER

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KNNP PARM KN ECON IR RW
SUBJECT: KIGALI SCIENCE FELLOW REQUEST

REF: STATE 30914


1. In response to reftel and previous communication between
Assistant Secretary Claudia McMurray and Minister Romain Murenzi,
the following details four possible workplans for a Science Fellow.


2. In Rwanda, the Science Fellow would work in Minister Murenzi's
Office, in the Office of the Presidency. Post point of contact is
Economic Officer Daniel Stoian, stoiandm@state.gov, 250-505-601
x3266.


3. BIO-FUELS: Rwanda's energy costs are the highest in the region
and the unreliability of electricity continues to be one of the
major development challenges. Exploitation of methane gas for
energy has begun, but has been stalled by a lack of expertise,
regulatory framework, and overall strategic plan. A Science Fellow
would be able to guide the GOR through the technical aspects,
economic aspects, policy issues, necessary regulatory framework,
environmental impact analysis, and financing.


4. GEO-SCIENCES: Geothermal is rumored to hold commercial, albeit
unexploited, potential in Rwanda. A Science Fellow would be able to
assist the GOR in developing geologic field investigations,
geophysical exploratory techniques, and activities that need to be
funded and launched to enable the GOR to analyze and evaluate its
geothermal energy reserve base potential. A Science Fellow would
also be able to guide the GOR through the technical aspects,
economic aspects, policy issues, regulatory framework, compliance
with environmental regulatory platform, and financing.


5. ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATORY PLATFORM: Several governmental and
donor organizations are working on regulations and legislation, and
a Science Fellow would be able to coordinate the disparate efforts
in a harmonized fashion. Assistance on code development, code
implementation, and code enforcement is needed and would go a long
way in ensuring that an environment is created that is both
protective of business interests and environmental concerns. A
Science Fellow would assist the GOR to set up their regulatory
administrative bodies and to provide the needed training and
sensitization.


6. WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT & MANAGEMENT: As a predominantly
agrarian society, Rwanda needs to properly develop, protect, and
manage its water resources. An Embassy Science Fellow would be able
to provide technical assistance to the GOR in developing a robust
water resources program that will enable the government to focus on
building capacity to better develop, manage, and plan for its
population and its agrarian and industrial water supply needs.

ARIETTI