Town residents warned on poor hygiene

NORTHERN PROVINCE MUSANZE — The district authorities, police and army officials on Thursday conducted a joint inspection of shops and restaurants in Ruhengeri town and issued a stern warning to shop owners operating under unhygienic conditions. Led by the Mayor, Celestin Kalabayinga, the team established that most commercial houses in the area were last painted ages ago, lacked dustbins, have unclean toilets, water trenches are blocked, and polythene material was littered all over. Bars, restaurants and the biggest bakery in the area were immediately closed down due to poor sanitation; while those which met the minimum standards were given two weeks to improve or face closure. According to the Muhoza Sector Executive Secretary, Amiel Ndahiro, all shop owners who do not meet the minimum required standards have been given warning letters and after completing the last inspection, strict measures would be taken against them, in the next two weeks. During the operation, market vendors were also asked to stop using illegal polythene materials. This is the second such crack down in the area within a short period, in a previous inspection by Sector authorities, three bars and two restaurants were closed due poor sanitation. Commenting on the exercise, the district Mayor, Kalabayinga said that considering the sate of sanitation, inspections by the district authorities would be conducted regularly. Ndahiro disclosed that cleaning the town was included in their performance contracts for this year, and would ensure that all old buildings are renovated. Ends