Kigali, 29 May, 2019- In view of beating air pollution caused by motor vehicle emissions, Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) in partnership with Rwanda National Police (RNP) conducted a campaign to raise awareness on vehicle emissions inspection. This activity is part of week-long events of the National Environment Week preceding the World Environment Day which falls on June 5. The campaign took place at the Motor-vehicle Inspection Centre (MIC) in Remera, Gasabo District.

Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Traffic and Road Safety department, Commissioner of Police (CP) Rafiki Mujiji, said that when MIC started in 2008, the focus was on controlling mechanical issues so as to prevent road accidents only. But he added that from 2015 motor vehicle emissions are also tested.

“In 2015, we started motor vehicle emission testing for a vehicle to be certified as roadworthy in an effort to improve air quality as well as the health and environment of all Rwandans. Permissible motor vehicle emissions shall be specified in applicable national standards of Vehicle Roadworthiness.”, said CP Rafiki Mujiji.

Eng. Colleta Ruhamya, the Director General of REMA, said that the Government remains committed to fighting air pollution.

“Protecting the environment is a national policy, and that includes ensuring that all automobiles are emission free, planting trees and fighting use of plastic bags. It’s all about behavioural change; if you are a driver, take your vehicle for emission inspection and every Rwandan should make planting of trees in their environs a culture,” Ruhamya said.

Emissions to air from road traffic is a major contributor to poor air quality across many urban environments across the globe. The report on Inventory of Sources of Air Pollution in Rwanda indicated that Nitrogen Oxide (NOx), Particulate Matter10 & 2.5 (PM10 &PM2.5), Carbon monoxide (CO) and  unburnt hydrocarbons are the key emissions from vehicles that affect local air quality (REMA, 2018).

Read More:

- LAW N° 18/2016 OF 18/05/2016 GOVERNING THE PRESERVATION OF AIR QUALITY AND PREVENTION OF AIR POLLUTION IN RWANDA  https://rema.gov.rw/fileadmin/templates/Documents/rema_doc/Laws/Air%20Pollution%20Law.pdf

- PRIME MINISTER’S INSTRUCTIONS N°005/03 OF 27/12/2013 PREVENTING AIR POLLUTION CAUSED BY VEHICULAR EMISSIONS AND MACHINES USING PETROLEUM PRODUCTS IN RWANDA

http://minirena.gov.rw/fileadmin/Environment_Subsector/Laws__Policies_and_Programmes/Laws/Laws.pdf