The seventh edition of the “Security and Hygiene” campaign was launched yesterday and commenced with activities of Umuganda where Kigali residents joined officials, Rwanda National Police (RNP) and Rwanda Defense Forces (RDF) officers in cleaning up different parts of the city.
The two-month campaign spearheaded by City of Kigali and RNP aims at bringing various players on board to strengthen security and hygiene.
The official launch of the activities held in Muhima of Nyarugenge District was presided over by the Mayor of the City of Kigali, Pascal Nyamulinda, who was flanked by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Emmanuel K. Gasana
The campaign will be focusing mostly on public sensitization for ownership on hygiene and security standards under the theme: “Keeping Kigali City Clean, Green and Safe.”
“Security and hygiene are two winning cards that add value and improve the quality of life. We thank everyone that has been part of this campaign,” said mayor Nyamulinda, adding that, “we need to make this a culture not just a practice.”
He added that the City of Kigali aims at promoting the health and safety of all residents, which is a base that provides a harmonious environment for the overall development of the City, residents and non-residents
In this effect, he observed, remarkable measures have been registered through putting in place policies and strategies to promote, protect and preserve the health of the people through promoting hygiene standards.
In his address, IGP Gasana noted that; “Security and hygiene are the source of development. We should, therefore, give this exercise value to continue make Kigali safer and cleaner.”
He commended the existing partnership between RNP and City of Kigali in ensuring the capital safe, green and clean, and added that this culture is also tailored on advancing socio-economic development.
“We have together achieved a lot in the last six similar campaigns that have contributed to the safety and welfare of city residents; however, we are still cased with challenges that are related to drug abuse, underage abuse of alcohol and child related crimes, road traffic accident due to abuse of traffic rules among other insecurities, but we will continue putting much efforts in addressing these issues,” said the Police Chief.
He reminded residents that where there is no sanitation and hygiene, people are at risk of easily contracting diseases and that a “sick person is an insecure one.”
The campaign, which has been made competitive, will see the best performing sector awarded with a truck. Previously similar campaigns saw different best performing sectors and even districts awarded with vehicles and motorcycles.
During this hygiene and security campaign, the City of Kigali in collaboration with RNP shall ensure Kigali residents and non-residents are well conversant with their role as regards keeping their City clean, green and safe.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Emmanuel K. Gasana speaks during the event.
The activities are planned in three phases: The first phase will be more on mobilization and sensitization of the communities, and will focus on communal in solid waste management, rehabilitation and creation of water channels and protection wetlands and the environment in general.
The second phase will purely focus security, and will include enforcement of actions that will be taken in areas where standards are not respected. Here, awareness and strict inspections will be carried out, and penalties imposed to those that do not comply with hygiene and security standards in the City of Kigali.
The third phase will focus on capacity building for the hygiene companies, NGOs and beneficiaries sensitizing them to ensure they fully comprehend their role following the City’s standards of hygiene and security.
The whole culture is in line with the agreement signed in August last year between RNP and the three districts of Nyarugenge, Kicukiro and Gasabo, to partner in building stronger and functioning community policing committees, community night patrols, fight drug abuse, domestic violence, noise pollution, sell of alcoholic drinks to minors, fire outbreak, public order management and promoting road security.
The Express News
