{The government will begin mandatory vehicle emissions testing from January 2015. This is aimed at improving air quality as well as the health and environment of all Rwandans.}
“Let us contribute to the preservation of our atmosphere and prevent air pollution related diseases by reducing dangerous emissions,” Dr. Rose Mukankomeje, Director General Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) said in her remarks about the new measure recently in Kigali.
These new instructions follow the approval of the Prime Minister’s instruction No. 005/03 of 27/12/2013 preventing air pollution caused by vehicular emissions and machines using petroleum products in Rwanda.
The instructions require that all vehicles undergoing technical control at a Motor Vehicle Inspection Centre shall also undergo an emissions test. Vehicles that do not meet applicable emissions standards shall not be awarded the technical control certificate and will not be permitted to operate in Rwanda.
These instructions require the traffic police officers to stop any vehicle and conduct a spot verification of emissions, or request for an impromptu emissions inspection for any vehicle suspected to be releasing air pollution emissions.
REMA therefore called on owners of vehicles and machines that use petroleum products to service in due time as well as maintain their vehicles and machines to meet applicable vehicle emission standards.
The authority also requested such people to use fuels compliant to the national fuel standards so that their vehicles and machines meet the required emission standards and are ready for emissions testing enforcement.
REMA requested vehicle importers to take into consideration applicable standards for vehicles imported into Rwanda and ensure that the future importation complies with the emissions standards of the countries of origin.
Importers and retailers of petroleum products were also reminded of the new East African Community standards, which stipulate that only low sulphur fuels (having less than 50 PPM); will be allowed on the regional market from January 2015.
{{Business Week}}
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