The vehicle inspection commonly known as “Controle Technique” in different categories of vehicles is assessed to see whether they deserve to operate on Rwandan roads. The inspection entailed the checking of fumes emitted by such vehicles as was captured in a prime minister’s decree that came with qualifications in December 2013 regarding vehicles’ fumes emissions. In Rwanda, testing of air-pollutant emissions is usually done.
Nowadays, if a vehicle is found by the Vehicle Inspection Center to emit harmful pollutants, it is not approved of a certificate of roadworthiness. Supposedly, its owner could correct the issue before reapplication of the so-called Controle Technique.
How is the testing of vehicle emissions conducted, and what tools are used?
Normally, the air we breathe contains 21% oxygen, 78% nitrogen, and small amounts of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and ozone. If the concentration of pollutants exceeds 0.5 PPM (Parts per Million), the emission gas test shows that the vehicle is polluting the air, and the owner is required to have the issue fixed at a garage.
He added that in an interview with Kigali Today, Traffic Police Spokesperson Jean Marie Vianney Ndushabandi said, “A device called the Emission Gas Test checks for emission. It measures the level of pollutants in PPM-Parts per Million. The device mainly checks for Carbon monoxide and Carbon dioxide, which mix with the air we breathe and pose health risks. Those vehicles that pass the emission test are safe, go easy on the environment.
He added, “The Vehicle Inspection Center, more popularly known as Controle Technique, measures the PPM to inspect the permissible level of emission that either a diesel or a gasoline vehicle can emit”. If the PPM is equal to, or below 0.5, then the emitted smoke is harmless. If it is above 0.5, then the vehicle has been emitting harmful pollutants and its owner needs to fix it before being given a certificate of roadworthiness.
The National Police has advised that the owners of vehicles emitting fumes should go to the garages for repair, service them regularly, and use correct types of engine oil and fuel at licensed stations. A vehicle will be able to evade harmful emissions through these measures, especially the diesel type. In fact, since the program for tests of emissions started early this year, out of 600 vehicles, which were tested, 20-30% were found to be emitting harmful pollutants, especially diesel due to poor maintenance.
This initiative benefits both the public and the environment. Remy Norbert, responsible for law enforcement and environmental protection at REMA, stated that curbing polluting vehicles is crucial for public health and regional environmental conservation because air pollution knows no borders. He said, “The impacts of vehicle emissions to human health are very huge. The air we inhale is mainly nitrogen and oxygen, but when the harmful gases from the vehicles mix, they cause respiratory diseases like asthma, tuberculosis, and other fatal diseases. In many countries, respiratory cancers due to vehicle emissions are at an increase.”
Remy Norbert supports this government initiative as a means of preventing diseases, which are difficult to treat, and encourages all Rwandan vehicle owners to take good care of their vehicles to fight against pollution.
The resident of Kigali, Angelique Uwimana, said that some people do not take good care of their vehicles, whose black smoke contaminates the air. She feels the program of testing of emission should prevent such things from happening and also raise awareness among people regarding how to take care of cars so that these can prevent short-term and long-term health effects.”.
Jean Pierre Uwiringiyimana also believes the program has come late to Rwanda, as measures to protect the environment and the air we breathe should have come into practice long ago. He said, “In my opinion, this program came late to Rwanda. There should be stern measures to protect the air, which gives us rain to grow crops and supports life for humans. All measures need to be taken to safeguard human life through protecting the environment.”. He commends the government for introducing this program, though he calls for more effort to extend it across the entire country so that vehicle emissions are controlled countrywide.
There is currently one machine at the Controle Technique centre in Remera, Gasabo District, which tests the emissions of a vehicle. However, the Traffic Police say they have four other machines which they use across all the provinces to control harmful emissions.
The government of Rwanda has continued to make pertinent steps toward fighting air pollution. It has done comparably well in terms of ensuring harmful emissions are reduced than other African and world countries.
