Progress has been realised in terms of vehicle fumes reduction since the implementation of government policy geared at tackling pollution by motor engines, The Rwanda Environmental Management Authority (REMA) has said. 

REMA with the help of Rwanda National Police started implementing the policy at the beginning of last year.

This is being done through having all vehicles undergo emissions inspection with the Motor Vehicle Inspection Centre.

Motor vehicles and other machines running on petroleum products that pollute the environment by emissions are not banned on Rwandan roads.

Traffic police officers have the authorisation to request for impromptu emissions inspection for vehicles heavily emitting fumes.

Speaking to The New Times, last week, Coletha Ruhamya, deputy director general of REMA said progress has been realised in terms of vehicle fumes reduction and awareness among citizens on the impact of air pollution.

"Vehicles not complying with emissions standards are not cleared by the Motor Vehicle Inspection Centre. They have been sent back for correction and service. This has resulted in reduction of emissions though no comprehensive assessment has been done to quantify it yet,” she said.

Vehicle importers are also required to comply with the standards and are required to have certificates to prove compliance from the country of origin.

Ruhamya said importers are sensitised on the impacts of emissions to the environment and human health.

"They are sensitised not to import very old vehicles and be aware to check the emission tests at the purchasing point to prevent turning our country from being a dumping site or a receiver of the wastes,” she added.

Commercial vehicles undergo emission inspection every six months for emission standards compliance while passenger vehicles are inspected once a year.

Vehicles imported into Rwanda are fitted with catalytic converters to reduce emissions within one year of their entry into Rwanda.

Other measures have been put in place to ensure compliance with the vehicle emission testing by vehicle owners.

Ruhamya explained that inspections are done on imported fuel by competent authorities to ensure that it is of good quality.

Currently applicable standards in Rwanda require importation of low sulphur fuel, which also reduces sulphur content in vehicles emissions.

According to Ruhamya, a specific law has been developed for preservation of air quality and is now under review by the parliamentarians.

"This law applies to all sources of emissions including vehicles, and will establish requirements for every owner or operator of any source of emissions and will help to enforce emissions standards,” said Ruhamya.

She cited various challenges in implementing of the testing to ensure all vehicles meet the emission standards.

The most adverse has been that testing machines and centers are not enough for all the required service.

However, she acknowledges that in collaboration with Rwanda National Police, the capacity has been increased and continues to be built.

Superintendent Jean Marie Vianney Ndushabandi, the Spokesperson for Traffic and Road Safety department told The New Times that of the many vehicles that have been subjected to the emissions testing very few have been fined for none compliance with the emission standards.

Traffic police officers are well trained on the enforcement of the rules regarding maintaining emission standards and are in procession of equipments used for testing emissions, he said.

Any vehicle that does not meet minimum emissions standards on inspection is not authorised to operate in Rwanda, is impounded or the owner pays a monetary fine.

Ruhamya appealed to garages and vehicle maintenance technicians to advise vehicles owners on how their vehicles should be maintained, serviced and operated for proper emission and compliance.

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