Nineteen petrol stations in Kigali, situated in designated wetland areas, are set to be closed by the end of November. This move, according to the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA), is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to restore and protect wetlands.

The initiative aims to combat climate change, enhance biodiversity, improve water quality, and beautify the city's landscape. As a result, infrastructure and projects that do not adhere to environmental regulations, including petrol stations, will be impacted.

The Ministry of Infrastructure, in collaboration with the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) and the City of Kigali, has assessed all petrol stations located within wetland zones.

They evaluated 19 stations, categorising them based on their environmental impact. For the initial phase, they recommended that nine of these stations could be decommissioned without disrupting Kigali's fuel supply.

ALSO READ: Nyagatare: Concerns over illicit trading in fuel

On August 28, 2024, a meeting was convened at the City of Kigali, chaired by the Minister of Environment. Key attendees included the Mayor of Kigali, the Deputy Director General of REMA, the Director General of RURA, and the owners/operators of the affected petrol stations.

The minister announced that decommissioning activities must begin within thirty (30) days and instructed the owners and operators to start draining their fuel storage during this timeframe.

RURA has formally notified the affected petrol station operators of this decision, emphasising the need for compliance with the decommissioning and relocation requirements.

Martine Uwera, the Program Manager in Charge of Environmental Mainstreaming and Biodiversity Management, explained that since 2005, the Rwandan government has been working on protecting environmental assets like wetlands, adding that the 2005 Organic Law on Environment set a deadline for removing all activities from these areas, as wetlands are considered government-owned land.

"Even in 2019, these stations were given five years to relocate. However, some properties still remain, which is why the government, in partnership with the City of Kigali, is enforcing compliance with the environmental laws,” she explained.

Uwera added that "the owners were given until the end of November to comply. If they don’t move by that time, the government will evaluate each case individually.”

ALSO READ: SP Rwanda expands fuel business to Tanzania

She emphasised the importance of this action, stating that the petrol stations contribute to pollution and pose health risks, while wetlands are crucial for managing storm water and maintaining water quality, which directly affects public health.

"Wetlands play a role in managing storm water and improving water quality, which directly impacts public health; protecting the environment means protecting the lives of Rwandans. We must think about how our actions today affect future generations,” she noted.

When The New Times attempted to speak with some of the petrol station owners facing closure, they declined to engage with the media.

There are currently 337 licensed petrol stations in Rwanda, with 129 located in the City of Kigali and 208 outside of Kigali. Standard regulations stipulate that there should be a minimum distance of 1,000 meters between two stations on the same side of the road.

This means that, out of the 19 stations inspected, apart from the nine granted 60 days for compliance, the remaining 10 should have been decommissioned by now as they do not meet the required placement standards.