English
Kinyarwanda
About 30 people including fishermen and other people involved in water-related business operating in Cyibare and Byimana lakes located in Ndego sector, Kayonza District, have committed to jointly partner with security organs against maritime crimes.
They made the commitment after a crime prevention tutorial given to them by the Officer in Charge of Ndego police station, Inspector of Police (IP) Laurent Rutayisire.
The meeting aimed at mobilizing the fishermen into making joint efforts to fight and prevent all sorts of crimes committed on water bodies.
Most maritime crimes include smuggling of goods, unauthorized fishing and drug trafficking among others.
IP Rutayisire advised those wishing to engage in fishing to first seek authorization while transporters should always ensure they don’t over load their boats.
“Most boats capsize due to over loading. This malpractice needs to stop,” he said calling for more commitment among fishers to ensure safety standards.
He also asked those involved in water transport to always wear life jackets and provide them to their passengers.
He urged them to pass on timely information to security organs regarding those suspected to be involved in transportation of narcotic drugs or any other crime, to ensure that they are arrested.
Fortune Nyiransabimana who heads fishing cooperative in the area appealed to members not to engage in illegal business or aid criminals, instead report such cases.
“We spend most of our time in waters trying to earn a living, we therefore have to take a primary responsibility to ensure water security,” Nyiransabimana said.
“Some of you have a habit of using poor means of fishing, this must stop since it affects fish production,” he noted.
