WESTERN PROVINCE

KARONGI — The Minister of Agriculture, Christopher Bazivamamo has warned residents against using water from hot springs because its tainted with acid.

The minister explained that experts have discovered that hot springs water is tainted with an acid dangerous to human life. He was speaking last week, during the evaluation ceremony of the districts performance contracts in Karongi district.

The acid, which the Minister described as ‘Arsenic’ is said to kill gradually once it is taken into the body.

The Minister told area Mayors to warn their residents on the use of the waters in order to curb its effects to the Rwandan community.

"This acid was discovered to be dangerous to human life yet most residents use it for different purposes. You should inform them early to stop using it to protect their lives,” he said.

Most of the places in Western Province in the districts of Rubavu and Nyamasheke have more hot spring sites and residents use the water for different activities including cooking and medicinal purposes. 

The Minister of Culture and Sports, Joseph Habineza, who also attended the function, said that such places should be protected and rather become historical sites.

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