REMA trains law enforcers on environmental policy watch

The Rwanda Environmental Management Authority (REMA), Friday concluded a two-day training, on environmental policy for law enforcers. Police commanders, community policing officers, district judicial officers and officers from the intelligence directorate from Kigali and other districts of the country were trained. According to REMA, the training is to ensure mastery by the law enforcers of the environmental policy, its underlying requirements and to facilitate informed decision making in this cause. In an interview, Rose Mukankomeje the Director General of REMA, expressed optimism on the sound partnership between law enforcers and REMA. “The enthusiasm exhibited by the police force as regards environmental policy enforcement and observance is for sure promising, and if this cooperation continues, I am optimistic that environmental crime cases will lessen,” observed Mukankomeje. She further commended the establishment of the environmental crime unit in the police, which she said was an indication of dedication and commitment towards fighting environmental crimes. “It used to be difficult for us because there was no distinctive department charged with environmental issues, but with this unit and local environment committees in place, our work will be simplified,” added Mukankomeje. During an Interview with the head of the Environmental Crime Unit, Jean Claude Kasasira, he justified this training stressing that there was need to exhaustively understand the environmental policy and how to strategically collaborate with stakeholders in this cause. “Since this law has a criminal aspect, we need to be well empowered to enforce it and this training is part of it,” said Kasasira. The policy is made up of laws on waste management which includes a ban on the usage and importation of polythene bags, unlawful mining, among others. Ends