The Rwandan capital city Kigali is set to get a major upgrade in its infrastructure after the government allocated $10.5 million (about 10 billion Rwandan francs) for preparations to host the 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

The Commonwealth Secretariat announced in September last year that Rwanda will host the meeting. This will mark the first time since 2007 (Kampala, Uganda) that the meeting will be hosted by an East African nation.

President Paul Kagame had previously pledged that Rwanda will work to make everybody feel that Rwanda is an extension of their home.

With an estimated 10,000 delegates from 53 Commonwealth countries expected to attend the event, Kigali's facilities are expected to be stretched.

The government is set to build a number of inter-city and connecting road network roads which are located around the Kigali International Airport. The roads are expected to ease the flow of traffic on the Kigali International Airport Road which is expected to be frequently used during the event.

"We have various committees working on the different aspects of CHOGM preparations, from infrastructure, hotels, to protocol, we are moving well and we have put up various mechanisms to ensure that we are ready by that time," The East African quoted Rwanda's Minister for Foreign affairs Vincent Biruta as saying.

There are also on-going efforts to boost the number of parking space for aircraft and passengers lounge at the airport's terminal.

Kigali vice mayor Ernest Nsabimana said that there are a number of on-going construction projects, including recreational sites and green parks.

Nsabimana added that the preparations for the event were at more than 50 percent.

The CHOGM will be held at the Kigali Convention Centre between June 22 and 27 this year.

Source(s): The East African