{Remera Sector has won the 6th edition of the ‘Security and Hygiene’ campaign in the City of Kigali, trouncing other 34 sectors from Gasabo, Kicukiro and Nyarugenge districts.}
The event to climax the six-month campaign was held on December 24, at Kigali stadium in Nyamirambo.
The campaign focuses on improving safety and cleanliness and is a joint exercise between Rwanda National Police (RNP) and the City of Kigali.
Remera from Gasabo District, which received a trophy and a vehicle – double cabin – was followed by Gisozi (Gasabo) and Kimisagara (Nyarugenge) sectors which received a financial prize of Rwf2 million and Rwf1 million respectively.
Overall, Gasabo emerged the winner of the campaign that aims at bringing various players on board to collectively fight human trafficking, drug abuse, gender based violence, protecting the environment, strengthening community policing initiatives like night patrols and performance of community policing committees, among many others.
In hygiene and sanitation, the competition focused on proper waste management, maintaining standard hygiene and sanitation in public places, protection and conservation of wetlands and fighting use of plastic bags.
The Minister of Natural Resources, Dr. Vincent Biruta, while presiding over the exercise at Kigali stadium in Nyamirambo, said that the “unity and partnership of Rwandans and institutions in particular are the driving force in the transformation of the country and true definition of good governance.”
“Rwanda and Kigali in particular, is known for its safety and cleanliness, a culture that should continue among all Rwandans to fight environmental degradation activities like use of plastic bags, disposing off of waste in wetlands that cause floods and contaminate water bodies,” he said.
He was impressed with the youth dominating the list of those awarded in various fields noting that this is an indication of the tradition that such campaigns instills in the young generation to rebuild their country.
Twelve-year old Yvette Umugwaneza from Jali Sector in Gasabo, trounced others in the poem category to win a reward of Rwf500, 000, and was followed by Abato Abeza Group from Gikomero (Gasabo), also a group of teens, who were awarded Rwf400, 000. Yves Ndahiro (Kicukiro) was third and awarded Rwf300, 000.
In song composition category, Frodouard Twizeyimana from Nyarugenge was the overall winner followed by Marie Claire Uwineza (Nyarugenge) and Justin Iyakaremye also from Nyarugenge.
The mayor of the City of Kigali, Monique Mukaruliza, said that this partnership continues to facelift the capital city both in security and hygiene.
“Over 90 percent of Kigali residents now have a formal agreement with waste collection firms, almost all the 35 sectors have Irondo – community patrol – vehicles, with all the 15 sectors of Gasabo covered, and all these are benefits of our partnership with Police,” Mukaruliza said.
“We have now ended the campaign…we have started a new chapter against drug abuse, plastic bags, littering, fighting gender based violence, making information exchange on security issues a culture and further participating and making the best out of Umuganda,” she added.
IGP Gasana, on his part, said that such partnership and achievements are fruits of able leadership and guidance under President Paul Kagame adding that the force is proud to continue awarding best performers every year.
“Social wellbeing requires having safer and hygienic people, who equally play a significant role in detecting, fighting and preventing anything that can affect their development agenda,” IGP Gasana said.
He, however, called for strengthened effort against existing security challenges related to gender based violence, trafficking and abuse of narcotic drugs, corruption and human trafficking.
“This country has a line both in security and development that we should all focus on and leave no room for anyone or anything to tamper with it,” he said.
He called for continued efforts against activities that degrade the environment and encouraged planting of more trees in homes and communities.
RNP has so far planted about 600 hectares of trees across the country.
He also reminded those celebrating in the festive season to consider the beliefs and rights of others merry making events.
The closing of the 6th edition started with planting of trees in Nyamirambo which was followed with a walk to promote security and hygiene in the city.
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