{The Rwanda National Police on December 24, received new gadgets that detect noise pollution and dangerous gases emitted by automobiles and, in a bid to effectively enforce law against harmful gases and nuisance sound. }
The equipment donated by Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) were handed to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Emmanuel K. Gasana by the Minister of Natural Resource, Dr. Vincent Biruta, in an event held at the Motor Vehicle Inspection Centre in Remera, Gasabo district.
The event was also graced by Dr. Rose Mukankomeje, REMA director General and senior RNP officers.
The new gadgets include four emission gas testing machines and three decibels (sound test masters).
Motor vehicle emissions are composed of by-products that exit from exhaust systems or other emissions such as gasoline evaporation – and they contribute to air pollution that has negative consequences on people’s health.
“Availability of such equipment will be of great use to control gas emission and noise pollution, which are issues that have been rampantly and undermining public order and harmful to people’s health,” Minister Biruta said.
“A vehicle needs to be regularly checked in order to prevent mechanical defaults and regulate gas emissions, which have great negative impact on the environment.”
The Traffic and Road Safety Department Spokesperson, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP), Emmanuel Kabanda, appealed to motorists to ensure that their cars are in good mechanical conditions by servicing them at the Motor Vehicle Inspection Centre.
“Vehicle wheel alignment, vehicle geometry, gas, lighting and brake system and general servicing of the vehicle need to be checked regularly in order to keep them in proper mechanical conditions,” Kabanda deliberated.
Early this year, the government launched an awareness campaign to control vehicle emissions and machines using petroleum products, a move that aimed at preventing air pollution.
The presidential decree No. 85/01 of September 2, 2002, regulating general traffic police and road traffic; stipulates, in part, that “vehicles not satisfying the set technical criteria will not be issued a certificate. Owners of vehicles using public roads without the certificate will be liable to a fine of Rwf25000.”
The motor vehicle inspection centre, checks, among others, wheel balance and alignment, suspensions, brakes, axle play, headlights as well as visual inspection that involves the use observing the housing of the car, side and rearview mirrors
The acquisition of the gadgets is in line with the government will to begin mandatory vehicle emissions effective next year in an effort to improve air quality as well as the health and environment of all Rwandans as stipulated under the Prime Minister’s Instructions n°005/03 of 27/12/2013 preventing air pollution caused by vehicular emissions and machines using petroleum products.
RNP, REMA and the ministries of Natural Resources, Internal Security and Infrastructure, as well as Rwanda Bureau of Standards (RBS) are part of the regulatory body.
This means that all vehicles undergoing technical control at a Motor Vehicle Inspection Centre shall also undergo an emissions test.
The research conducted by REMA in 2011, showed that the country is facing a problem of air pollution caused by vehicle emissions which is not at high level if compared to most countries in the world, but needs to be addressed before it is too late
RNP
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