Cabinet to discuss Asbestos report

KIGALI - Cabinet will soon discuss a report by a team of experts from Canada who conducted a study on how asbestos roofing can be phased out with minimal damage. This was revealed yesterday by the Minister of Infrastructure, Vincent Karega, in a telephone interview. He said that they were working round the clock to ensure that asbestos roofing is done away with. Asbestos is associated with fatal medical conditions including lung cancer, Mesotheloima and Asbestosis which occur when asbestos fibre is inhaled and lodged in the inner layers of the lungs. The asbestos roofing was predominantly used on government structures including hospitals and schools.According to Karega, the government has the challenge of phasing out the Asbestos without causing harm to people. “We are doing our best to table the findings before cabinet because we are aware that the more we delay, the more the risks accumulate,” Karega said. He added that some of the ways explored include burning “Machines will be bought and technicians will be trained how to incinerate the asbestos,” he added. Rwanda last year imposed a ban on asbestos and issued a six-month ultimatum for all asbestos roofings to have been removed. The move was, however, challenged after it was realised hat it was dangerous and could harm those who remove it without protective gear. Ends

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Cabinet to discuss Asbestos report