The government is implementing new regulations to deal with the theft of car spare parts, among other persistent problems affecting shanty garages in the City of Kigali.

For a long time, officials have indicated, a number of complaints have been raised in regard to challenges caused by shanty garages. The issues range from the pollution of wetlands to poor services and theft of spare parts.

New guidelines from the government will, among other things, require each garage to have a permanent premise where it offers services, be fenced, have well-roofed automobile workshops, have ample parking space, as well as offices for staff and reception or waiting facilities, among others.

The Rwanda Inspectorate Competition and Competition Authority (RICA) introduced new guidelines on the operation of garages in the City of Kigali to do away with the reported misconduct and disorganisation in garage zones.

However, garage operators are asking for more time for the regulations to be implemented. The regulations were introduced last year in May and had to be implemented after six months.

The head of the Garage Association, Claude Ndikumwenayo, said that the regulations from RICA are tough and difficult for some garage owners to implement. This is why they are asking for the implementation time to be extended.

"There is a need for sensitisation for garage operators on the importance to comply with new guidelines,” he said.

He added, "You can’t implement all the guidelines in six months, especially for those renting the land.”

The owner of Weikel garage located in Rugunga village in Nyarugenge District, Emeritha Nyirahabimana, said, "Some of us are working from garages that aren’t ours and this means we can’t comply with some regulations since the land is small.”

According to the Garage Association, there are more than 400 garages while Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) figures show that there are 1,274 garages registered.