In a move to reduce traffic accidents, the government is in the process of establishing a motorcycle
inspection centre, the Minister of State for Transport, Dr Alexis Nzahabwanimana, has announced.

Nzahabwanimana made the announcement during a tour of the Gasabo-based auto-mobile inspection centre (MIC),
Thursday.

"The centre will help ensure that motorcycles on the road are in good mechanic condition,” the Minister
said.

The centre is expected to cost between Rwf 270 and 300 million, according to police estimates.

The Commissioner for Operations and Public order, ACP Emmanuel Butera, said motorcycles were increasingly
becoming an unreliable means of transport as they still account for the largest percentage of road
accidents and deaths.

The minister added that the government planned to decentralize the automobile inspection centre by opening
up branches in Kayonza, Huye and Musanze districts.

There have been complaints over delays in the screening process at the single inspection centre located in
Remera.

"We waste a lot of time here waiting for the service, so I welcome the idea to decentralize the centre; it
will help us easily access this service,” Joseph Niyonzima, told The New Times as he waited for his car to
get cleared.

However, the minister stated that after putting in place the necessary infrastructure, the government will
look into plans to privatize the inspection centre in a bid to give the public more efficient and
professional services.

"The government has a plan to privatize the centre but, currently, our priority is to put in place the
required infrastructure, but privatization is something that will be considered at a later stage.”

Ends