Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza attended a completion ceremony for a local irrigation project built by POWERCHINA on March 3.

Chinese Ambassador to Burundi, Zhuo Ruisheng, Bank of Africa representatives and Burundian officials were also present at the ceremony.

Burundian president Pierre Nkurunziza (C) cuts the ribbon together with the provincial governor and a representative from the Bank of Africa.

Nkurunziza cut the ribbon and opened the irrigation gate amid applause from locals. Later, the president released baby fish into the reservoir.

Addressing the ceremony, Nkurunziza thanked POWERCHINA for building the irrigation project and said that it will relieve famine in Kirundo Province. He also praised the Chinese government for its contributions to improving Burundians' livelihoods, hailing China as a good friend of Burundi.

Burundian president Pierre Nkurunziza releases baby fish into the reservoir.

On Aug 8, 2014, POWERCHINA signed the deal for the 538.5-hectare irrigation project, owned by Bugesera region's rural infrastructure project department and supported with funds from the African Development Foundation.