Rwanda National Police is set to introduce a mobile vehicle inspection unit to serve motorists who are currently required to travel from the countryside to Kigali to examine their vehicles.According to Jean Marie Vianney Ndushabandi, the spokesperson of the Rwanda National Police traffic and road safety units, the mobile machine was purchased from Germany and it is currently being shipped to Kigali.Ndushabandi said engineers are being trained in Germany on how to best operate the machine.“It’s on the way coming from Germany I cant tell the exact day it will arrive in Kigali, but what we want to improve our services,” he notedHe further explained that there are preparations to establish more inspection centres in Huye, Karongi and Ngoma districts.Apparently, only the Remera-based Motor Vehicle Inspection Centre in Gasabo district inspects all the vehicles in the country.The centre was established in 2008 to check the mechanical conditions of vehicles as a way of reducing traffic accidents caused by technical difficulties. Vehicle mechanical problems are said to be among the main causes of traffic accidents. All vehicles are subjected to a periodic technical inspection and those that are not road worthy are required to be repaired before hitting the road again. The centre caters for both private and commercial vehicles and issues a certificate valid for one year and six months, respectively, after successful inspection. Thadens Nkeramihigo, a motorist, welcomed the development, saying people have always been wasting time and energy queuing at the only inspection station in Remera.Easing workThe presidential decree No. 85/01 of September 2, 2002, regulating general traffic police and road traffic; stipulates, in part, that “vehicles not satisfying the set technical criteria will not be issued with a certificate. Owners of vehicles using public roads without the certificate will be liable to a fine of Rwf25,000.”The facility inspects, among others, the lighting and braking systems, wheel alignment and vehicle geometry and steering system, as well as gas emission.
