Rwanda Environmental Management Authority (REMA) is one government body that has its hands full, especially with issues regarding protection of wetlands.

Its work is not made any easier since, for many decades, the country’s marshlands were invaded by property developers. Former water catchment areas have run dry and construction now obstructs the natural flow of water.  

Authorities in most cases gave their approval for the development of marshlands, in blatant violation of environmental protection guidelines, so owners of such structures are legally protected.

Turning the clock back is not easy as relocating decades-old premises in the marshland is costly. It might be inevitable in the future, but it will have a hefty price tag, not forgetting the cleanup of areas long contaminated by industrial activities, such as the Gikondo-Nyabugogo lowland.

REMA’s vigilance to curtail unscrupulous developers is also needed before they cause more damage. But throwing the book at developers and ignoring those who gave approval – in this case, local authorities – is a job half done. All involved in the degradation chain should be made to account.

But one area REMA could make a difference is in devising clear public sensitisation policies as well as visible demarcations such as beacons, which delimit unauthorised areas.

Enforcement of the law after violations and slapping hefty fines on the culprits will not do the job; there should be regular close monitoring, not only in Kigali, but all over the country.  

Polluters should also foot the bill of cleaning up because environmental degradation in one part of the country has a ripple effect on other parts.