Comply with the policy on wetlands

This week, the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), in partnership with the Local Government ministry, started closing down all facilities and other unlawful activities in wetlands in Kigali – a move that focuses largely on protecting the environment. A couple of facilities have so far been closed down.

Thursday, September 14, 2017

Editor,

RE: "City cracks down on facilities in wetlands” (The New Times, September 14).

This week, the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), in partnership with the Local Government ministry, started closing down all facilities and other unlawful activities in wetlands in Kigali – a move that focuses largely on protecting the environment. A couple of facilities have so far been closed down.

While some people, particularly owners of such businesses, are positive about this government policy, I still believe some will try to resist and behave in disapproval of this policy that also has much to do with beautification of our city.

To the latter, I would advise them to never stand against all the good government policies like this (environment policy), but instead try to help ensure that the exercise goes on smoothly.

Countless spectacular structures like Kigali Convention Center, Kigali Heights, Marriott Hotel, Radisson Blu and many more have already put Rwanda on the world map. However, the leadership of this country, under President Paul Kagame, wants to register more and more achievements, and this environmental policy is definitely one of those government plans that are actually intended to develop Rwanda.

Question for all: What kind of a feeling would a Rwandan have seeing artificial lakes and streams all around Kigali?

So fellow Rwandans, my message is simple: it’s my primary responsibility, it is yours too, to join all efforts to build the Rwanda we want.

Fred Murenzi