English
Kinyarwanda
The visiting Gambian Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ben Wilson has commended the Rwanda National Police (RNP) road traffic control initiatives and professionalism and efficient exhibited by officers in maintaining road safety.
While speaking during his visit to the department of Traffic and Road Safety on Thursday, IGP Wilson noted that throughout his stay in Rwanda, he had observed appropriate road safety policies implemented by RNP including quick and efficient issuance of driver’s licence, which are essential in balancing the overall transport sector and public safety.
“RNP has implemented cost-efficient traffic regulations which require the partnership and understanding of all road users. On top of that, the traffic flow is well managed in regard to vehicle and pedestrian movement, as well as environment protection, which are all essential in sustainable development,” he said.
He also added that; “Many countries in Africa are plagued with mismanagement of traffic and road safety – and I am quite sure that they can learn a lot from Rwanda. On my side, I am eager to take many of the ideas I have learnt from Rwanda back to The Gambia as regards to the management of traffic safety.”
The RNP efficiency, he noted, makes the force a role model to other police forces that seek to offer similar services that builds trust among the citizenry.
He also visited the Motor Vehicle Inspection Centre in Kigali, where he witnessed its operations and services in inspecting the mechanical status of vehicles.
Commissioner of Police, George Rumanzi, Commissioner for the RNP Traffic and Road Safety Department, who received The Gambian Police Chief, made a presentation about the day-to-day operations of the department.
CP Rumanzi noted that RNP ensures to inspect all vehicles operating in Rwanda in order to promote professional driving in regards to prevention of road accidents that might arise out of vehicle mechanical faults.
“In order to significantly reduce the rate of road accidents and to ensure that road users are safe and reassured, RNP established Motor vehicle Inspection Centres throughout the country to examine the mechanical condition of vehicles in Rwanda. This is has been paramount in promoting road and traffic safety,” CP Rumanzi said.
Currently, there are three inspection centres; in Remera in Gasabo District, Gishari in Rwamagana District and the Mobile Test Lane which operates countrywide.
Remera and Gishari centres have the capacity to inspect about 500 and 50 vehicles daily, respectively, while the Mobile Test Lane inspects about 100 cars per day.
Wilson observed that such services are “highly felt by road users” while the RNP long term sensitization of the masses about road safety “will pay off in maintaining overall national safety and development.”
IGP Wilson, who also attended the graduation of the third intake of the Police Senior Command and Staff Course at the Rwanda National Police College, earlier on Wednesday, together with the Deputy IGP of South Sudan, Lt Gen Abraham Peter Manyuat, visited the Police Training School in Gishari, Rwamagana to acquire vast knowledge on police trainings conducted by the school.
One Police officers from The Gambia and two from South Sudan are among thirty students who successfully completed the highest police academic course, which combines strategic leadership command and offers a masters degree in Peace Studies and Conflict Transformation.
