General
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UNIT 9:Infrastructures
Key Unit Competence: Explain the importance of transport and communication in our province.
Attitudes and Values:
• To appreciate the importance of transport and communication.
• To show concern about proper use of roads and show awareness of dangers relating to communication.
9.1 What is Infrastructure?
Infrastructure refers to the fundamental facilities of a country, city, or an area.
Infrastructure includes services and facilities necessary for the economy to function well.
The main infrastructure systems of a country include:
• Transportation
• Communication
• Sewage and water systems• Electricity
9.2 Transport Services in Our Province
Infrastructure is important to a country’s economic development and prosperity. Infrastructure projects may be funded by the government or carried out privately.
Transport is the movement of people and goods from one place to another.People move from one place to another using different types of transport.
Activity 9.1
1. How many types of transport can you see in the pictures?
2. Which types of transport is common in our province?
3. Name the types of transport which is not found in our province.
There are four major types of transport. They are:
• Road transport: This type of transport uses roads.
• Air transport: This type of transport is used to travel by air.
• Water transport: This is the type of transport used to travel on water.
• Rail transport: This is a type of transport which travels on rails.
• Rails are the tracks over which a train pass.
• Rail transport is not yet in Rwanda but the plan to construct the line is arleady in pla
• Means of Transport in Our Province
Means of transport means the various modes of transport used, carry goods from one place to another.
Means of Road Transport
The means used in road transport include cars, buses, lorries, pickups, bicycles and motorcycles. Road transport is the most popular transport in our province.Look at the pictures below.
Means of Water TransportWater transport is mainly used on lakes, rivers, oceans and seas. It can
also be used to transport heavy loads. This transport is the slowest and
cheapest means of transport.We use boats, ferries, canoes, ships/vessels and dhows to travel on water.
Activity 9.2
1. Why isn’t water transport commonly used in our community?
2. Name any four means of water transport.
3. Draw and name any two means of water transport.
Means of Air Transport
Air transport is the quickest and the most expensive means of transport, therefore, it is suitable for travel over long distances. Perishable goods are also easily transported by this means.
The place from which an aeroplane departs and arrives is called an airport.
There are two main airports in Rwanda Kigali international airport and
Kamembe airport in Rusizi but other are airfields like Huye airfield, Musanze airfield, Rubavu airfield, Gabiro airfield in Gatsibo District, Gako airfield Nemba air field and others
Activity 9.3
1. Name any three means of air transport.
2. Why is air transport not used by many people?
3. Give two the International Airports of Rwanda.
Means of Rail Transport
This type of transport is suitable for transporting bulky or heavy goods.
Rail transport is not found in Rwanda. However, there is construction plan is on. The means used in railway transport is a train.
9.3 Special Places Where Different Means of Transport
are Found
Means of transport have special places where they are found. Look at the table.
Activity 9.4
Match the different people to the means of transport they are associated with.
People Means of transport
i) Captain a) Buses, cars, lorries, taxis
ii) Driver b) Trains, ships
iii) Cyclist c) Jets, aeroplanes, rockets, helicoptersiv) Pilot d) Motorcycles, bicycles
9.4 Importance of Having Good Roads in Our Province
• Easy movement of people from one place to another,
• To transport agricultural produce to market,
• Promotes trade,
• Promotes tourism,
• Easy transportation of fragile and perishable goods.
Fragile goods are those that break easily, like glass.
Perishable goods are those which get spoil easily, like flowers, fruit, and fish.
Difficulties and Dangers Related to Transport in Our province.
Transport in our province is affected by many factors these makes transportation of goods and people difficult.
Some of the transport problems faced by our province are as under:
Poor roads: This affects the movement of people and their goods from one place to another.
Bad weather: Heavy rains can spoil roads in our province.
Landscape: The land may make it impossible or expensive to construct roads or build railway lines in some areas.
Strong winds: These can make boat capsize.
Accidents: These are caused by poor roads, overloading, bad weather conditions and speeding. To be speeding is to be above the speed limit.
Narrow roads: Roads are narrow in some areas, leading to traffic jams causing delays people from moving quickly.
Few means transport: This makes it difficult for some people to get to work on time.
Some means of transport are very expensive and difficult to build and maintain, such as airports and railway stations.
Causes of Road Accidents
Road accidents are caused by:
• Bad roads with potholes
• Rash driving
• Drunken driving
• Speeding
• Jumping Red lights
• Use of mobile phones while driving
• Not using safety gear like seat belts and helmets
• Wrong overtaking and lane driving
• Overloading of vehiclesWays of overcoming the difficulties and dangers associated with transport in our Province
The problems facing transport in our province can be solved in the following ways.
• Tarmacking and building wider roads
• Repairing roads
• Respecting road signs
• Avoiding speeding and overloading
• Providing greater means of public transport in the province
• Enforcing strict laws against drunken drivers
• Following traffic rules and regulations
• Converting all unmetalled roads to metalled roads
Activity 9.5
1. In groups, discuss the problems facing transport services in our province.
2. How can problems affecting transport services be solved?
3. State any four causes of road accidents.
9.5 Communication
Communication is the sending and receiving of messages.For communication there must be a sender and a receiver.
Forms of Communication
There are two types of communication.
1. Traditional communication
This type of communication was used long ago. Before the introduction of modern means of communication, people used drums and horns to convey messages within a long distance.
2. Modern communication
This is the type of communication which people use in modern times.
It involves the use of phones, internet, telex, telegrams, newspapers and post offices.
Activity 9.6
In groups, discuss the means of communication which were used long ago
and the ones people use today.
Means of Communication
Means of communication are the means used to send messages from one place to another.
Activity 9.7
1. Which of the means of communication above are commonly used in our province?
2. In groups, discuss the other means of communication in our province.
3. Identify the fastest means of communication in our province.
4. Differentiate means of communication given above
Modern Means of Communication
Modern means of communication are faster than traditional means, used long ago.
Modern means have wider coverage compared to traditional ones.
Modern means of communication include:
• Radio
• Television
• Newspaper
• Magazine
• Telephone• Letter
Examples of Radio Stations in Rwanda
Radio Rwanda, Kiss FM, Isango Star, Radio10, Magic FM, Radio Flash FM, Contact FM and others
Activity 9.8
1. In groups, discuss other examples of radio stations found in Rwanda.
2. State the major advantage of modern means of communication over traditional ones.
Telecommunication Networks in Our Province
There are network companies which provide a networks to allow easy communication, by using the telephone in our province.
The telecommunication companies in our province include MTN (Mobile Telecom Network), Airtel and Tigo.
Importance of Communication in Our Province
Good communication networks are important as they promotes:
• Peace and harmony
• Trade
• Friendship
• Development
• tourism
Problems Facing Communication Services in Our Province
• It is expensive
• Poor network
• Lack of skilled workers
• Poor service delivery by some telecommunication network companies.
• Poor distribution of newspapers; due to poor transport system
• Heavy rains make telecom poles fall down during the rainy season
• Limited market
Measures to Overcome the Problems Affecting communication
• Providing good road networks
• Providing local leaders with telephones, for easy communication
• Setting strict laws to control telecommunication networks
• Training skilled workers to improve customer care services• Educating people about the importance of communication
Revision Exercise
1. The movement of people and their goods from one place to another is called. a) trade ,transport, business , communication
2. Differentiate transport from communication3. Which means of transport is shown in the picture below?
4. .....................is the common type of transport in our province
5. The quickest mode of transport is .............................................
6. Few people in Rwanda use air transport in because ..................
8. Which is the most commonly used means of communication in our
province?
9. List five means used of road transport used in our province.
10. Identify any four problems facing transport in our province.
11. How can we avoid the problems facing transport in our province?
12. Name the type of transport used on Lake Kivu.
13. Mention any four forms of communication used in our province.
14. The three telecommunication companies in Rwanda are;
15. Discuss how communication is important in our province?
16. Give three problems facing communication in our province.17. Explain how the problems facing communication can be solved?