Bugarama: Residents complain the bad air pollution from industry.
By : ABAWEDAWE Immaculee
In Rusizi district, Bugarama sector, residents have been complaining for some time about the emissions emitted by various factories operating in the area. These emissions have been polluting the air to a high level, negatively affecting the health of residents and the environment in general. Although there are laws governing air cleanliness and quality, some residents say that they are not properly implemented.
Residents’ testimonies
“We live in smoke forever”: residents’ testimonies Residents living near the factories say that they are constantly exposed to polluted air, and are concerned about their health and that of their children.
Mukamana Alphonsine, who lives near the cement factory, said: “In the evening and early morning, we breathe very polluted air. My child has been suffering from a persistent cough for three months.”
Some say they have affected the health of their eyes and skin, while others report that their crops are being damaged by the pollution, as fertilizers and gases combine to produce substances that are harmful to plants.
Testimony from doctors
Lung diseases on the rise At the Bugarama Health Center, the head doctor reported that there is an increase in children and adults coming in with respiratory diseases, including asthma, bronchitis, and chronic cough. “We do not conduct specific research, but according to our statistics, respiratory diseases have increased significantly in the past five years,” he said.
The Rwanda Environmental Protection Agency (REMA) acknowledges that there is a problem with pollutants in some areas near factories. A REMA official we spoke to said: “We do air quality measurements, and indeed in some places we find gases that exceed the permissible limits. But we are trying to ask factories to install gas-capturing machines or use non-flammable fuels.”
Despite the measures, residents say there is little follow-up and no punishment.
Study: Air pollution causes premature death According to a World Bank study, air pollution is one of the leading causes of heart disease, cancer, and respiratory diseases worldwide. Rwanda has put in place various programs to combat this pollution, including measures to control industries, but there are obstacles in their implementation.
Impact on children and pregnant women Young children and pregnant women are among those most affected by polluted air.
Dr. Uwamariya Claudine, a pediatrician, says that children with weak immune systems are more likely to suffer from respiratory diseases, which can have long-term effects on their health.
Residents’ demand: Continuous monitoring of industries Residents are calling for continuous monitoring of industrial emissions, and for and air quality monitoring sites near these factories. They demand that their right to live in a clean environment be protected.
Industrial pollution is a hidden but serious problem in Rwanda. Despite laws and measures in place, political will, strong monitoring, and cooperation between all sectors are needed to protect the health of the population and the environment.
