Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), Friday rewarded environmental protection activists from the various parts of the country with motorcycles, computers, printers and photocopiers, worth Rwf 100 million.

During her speech, the Director General of REMA, Rose Mukankomeje, lauded the recipients. She pointed out hard work and commitment to the environmental welfare cause as some of the criteria which was followed when giving out these goods.

"We decided to give these equipment to environmental activists as a way of acknowledging their effort and an attempt to step up their activities at all levels,” Mukankomeje explained.

The rewards donated by the African Development Bank (ADB), included 18 motorcycles that were given to 18 sectors that performed well in environmental management and protection. Also, every district in Rwanda got one computer, office printer and a photocopying machine.

The State Minister for Energy and Mineral Resources, Vincent Karega commended REMA and the African Development Bank (ADB) for recognising activists in such a noble undertaking.

"Any activity geared towards the betterment of the environment, as a way of protecting it or conserving it, automatically contributes to development and wealth accumulation. My special gratitude goes to REMA and ADB for rewarding performers in this noble cause,” Karega said. He added that when the environment is affected, there is no wealth preservation and creation.

"These two go hand in hand,” he underscored.

During an interview with The New Times, Mukankomeje revealed that REMA channeled these facilities through one of their projects called Institutional Support to Environmental Management, and that it is through this that selection of the best performers was done.

She further urged all environmental practioners who have got these facilities to use them progressively to foster environmental welfare.

"These donations are aimed at stepping up environmental activities through easing mobility and administrative capacity of the stakeholders at all levels,” Mukankomeje explained.

Selection of recipients was done through an inquiry from village authorities and other personnel overseeing environmental issues in the various regions of the country.

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