REMA, Police move to enforce environment law

KIGALI - The Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) and the Rwanda National Police (RNP) have vowed to fully apply the ‘Organic Law’ by bringing to book all those degrading the environment. Rose Mukankomeje, the REMA Director General said on Friday, that despite the awareness campaigns conducted on the law and several warnings issued, many people have continued to defy it. Mukankomeje was speaking at a press briefing, organized by REMA and the police, aimed at disseminating the law protecting the Environment - Organic Law, held at the police headquarters in Kacyiru. The Organic Law which was adopted in 2005, determines the modalities of protection, conservation and promotion of the environment. Mukankomeje outlined building in wetlands, using polythene bags, burning, cutting of trees, spitting and smoking in public places as some of the things prohibited according to the law “but are still being carried out.” “We have been sensitizing the public about this law but some people decided to give us deaf ears,” Mukankomeje said, adding that “this time there will be no excuse if someone is punished.” According to Article 96 of the Organic Law, anyone who, in a manner that is not provided for by the law that governs it, burns, cuts trees or who causes other to do so or kills animals in protected forests and other protected areas, is punished by an imprisonment of two months to two years and a fine ranging from Rwf300,000 to Rwf2 million or one of the two penalties. Article 109 also punishes smoking in public places, owning a car that emits smoke and noxious gases, burning domestic waste, rubbish, wheels and tyres and plastic materials, with a fine between Rwf10,000 and Rwf50,000. “The law is clear. It defines what should be done to prevent and the punitive measures,” Mukankomeje noted.Commissioner of Police, Cyprien Gatete, who heads the Disaster Management desk in the police force, observed that some people degrade the environment intentionally. “The role of the police in this exercise is to protect and prevent environmental degradation through the Community Liaison Officer,” Gatete said. He added that currently, there is an Environment Protection Unit (EPU) under the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to crackdown on law breakers. Ends