The City of Kigali yesterday rewarded the best performing sectors, districts and artistes for their role in keeping Kigali City safe, clean and green.

The initiative is part of the 6-month campaign on hygiene and safety after a partnership between City of Kigali and Rwanda National Police that evaluated performance contracts on hygiene and safety signed in July with the sectors.

Out of 35 sectors of Kigali City, Remera in Gasabo district took the first prize, a car that will be used in ensuring security and hygiene.

It was followed by Gisozi which received Rwf2 million while Kimisagara got Rwf1 million Kinyinya and Nyarugenge sectors came in fourth and fifth positions respectively.

Poets and singers who sang songs about the beauty and uniqueness of Kigali were also rewarded.

Speaking at the awarding ceremony, Kigali City mayor of, Monique Mukaruriza said the selection criteria was based on  the status of hygiene in different places, how the sectors work with waste collection companies, how they fight dust and mud by planting lawns and  establishing pavements as well as hygiene in residents’ houses.

On safety, Mukaruriza said, the evaluators assessed how night patrols are organized, fighting drugs abuse especially among the youth, residents’ participation, how security systems are sustainable. She added that the awards will now be annual.

The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Emmanuel Gasana, said that the 4-year partnership with City of Kigali has been bearing fruits in terms of safety and cleanliness for a green city.

He cited how in just this week, Police and Rwanda Environment Management Authority seized 500,000 plastic bags that had been smuggled into the country.

Gasana, however, added that security needs to be tightened because of emerging crimes such as cyber crimes, human trafficking, cyber attacks on banks and other crimes that include robbery, terrorism and domestic violence.

The city officials have said new pledges on hygiene and security next year include streets lights in different places, more efforts in eradicating plastic bags, designing more green spaces with tree and lawn planting, curbing street vending, rainwater harvesting and fighting juvenile delinquency.

The city also wants to give cars to every sector to be used in hygiene and security activities.

The Minister for Natural Resources Vincent Biruta, who was the guest of honor, commended the hygiene and safety activities saying they help keep the city safe and green by complying with environmental and security regulations.

"He said good disposal of waste will help avoid flooding in various places especially Kigali city.

Kigali city says over 90 per cent of its population have so far gone into agreement with waste disposal companies to ensure cleanliness in the city.

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