Rwanda National Police

Motor vehicle emissions are composed of the by-products that come out of the exhaust systems or other emissions such as gasoline evaporation. These emissions contribute to air pollution, which also has an impact on people’s health.

On Thursday, Rwanda launched an awareness campaign to control vehicle emissions and machines using petroleum products, a move aimed at preventing air pollution at an “early stage.”

The 2013 report by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) indicates that 53,000 early deaths per year occur because of vehicle emissions.

“Emissions from auto mobiles and petroleum products are not a threat, currently, in Rwanda, but it might be a threat to us in the future, if we don’t take precautions now,” Stanislas Kamanzi, the Minister of Natural Resources, who presided over the launch of the exercise at the Remera-based Motor Vehicle Inspection Centre (MIC), said.

“This is in line with the government programme to protect the environment, but also to ensure the safety of people living in Rwanda,” he added.

The awareness is also in line with the Prime Minister’s instructions adopted by the Cabinet, to provide a regulatory framework to control these emissions against the established standards.

The regulatory body includes the Prime Minister’s office, Rwanda National Police (RNP), ministries of Natural Resources, Internal Security and Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA).

The Minister appealed to vehicle owners to always take their vehicles for mechanical checkups and urged owners of garages and mechanics to advise their clients on how to handle their automobiles to avoid emitting dangerous gases.

Gas emissions are currently tested at MIC.

The Minister thanked Rwanda National Police for establishing mechanical inspection centres and being at the forefront in preventing emissions.

The Deputy Inspector of Police in charge of Administration and Personnel, Stanley Nsabimana said plans are underway to establish other inspection centres in Ngoma, Huye, Rwamagana (Gishari) and Karongi districts.

He also said that two other lanes will be established next to Remera MIC while another centre will be built in Gacuriro, also in Gasabo District.

“All these centres will be operational very soon,” DIGP Nsabimana said.
Currently, there are four inspection lanes; three at Remera and the Mobile Inspection lane.

Vehicles are subjected to a periodic technical inspection and those that are not roadworthy are required to be repaired before hitting the road again.

Besides gas emission, the centres also inspect the lighting and braking systems, wheel alignment and vehicle geometry and steering system.

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 Rwf 25, 000.”