Rwezamenyo Sector of Nyarugenge District emerged the overall best performer in the just concluded 7th edition of the ‘Security and Hygiene’ campaign in the City of Kigali, trouncing other 34 sectors of Nyarugenge, Gasabo and Kicukiro districts. The event to award the best performers was held yesterday, bringing the six-month campaign conducted jointly between Rwanda National Police (RNP) and the City of Kigali, to an end. The event also marked the commencement of the 8th edition that aims at making Kigali cleaner, greener and safer. Rwezamenyo received a trophy and a vehicle – a double cabin Mahindra. Remera Sector of Gasabo District, which came in second, received a certificate of merit and a cash prize of Rwf1 million, while Kagarama Sector of Kicukiro, that came third, got Rwf800,000 and a certificate. Kinyinya Sector was fourth, which earned them a certificate and Rwf700,000 while Kimisagara completed the top five with a cash prize of Rwf500,000. Nyarugenge emerged the overall best performing urban district. The campaign aims at bringing various players on board to collectively fight different crimes including drug abuse, gender based violence, corruption, while protecting the environment, strengthening community policing initiatives like night patrols and effectiveness of community policing committees, among many others. While presiding over the event, the Mayor of City of Kigali, Marie Chantal Rwakazina, said that; “Our city chose to have an identity that is hinged on public safety, development and hygiene but to arrive at what we want we must build on a firm foundation of partnership.” She added that there is significant progress made towards security and hygiene but there is still a lot to do. “We need to enhance our individual and collective contributions towards social development initiatives, information sharing especially on high impact crimes and advance anything that contributes to the wellbeing of the people and development,” said the Mayor. She said that winning also comes with a challenge to the winner, to sustainably protect the gains and building on such achievements towards sustainable security and development. The Inspector General of Police Emmanuel K. Gasana attributed the achievements made to the able leadership and guidance adding that the closure of the 7th edition and beginning of the 8th edition of the campaign falls with Police Week theme of “Towards a Crime-free Village.” “Emphasis on security and hygiene must start from our villages; remember, social wellbeing requires having safer and hygienic people, who equally play a significant role in detecting, fighting and preventing anything that can affect their wellbeing and development agenda,” Gasana said. He added: “We are committed to this campaign because, where there is security, development is easily and quickly realised. There can’t be development where there is no security. Still, without a healthy population, both security and development can’t be realised. They are intertwined and this is why this campaign is crucial”. He, however, called for improved efforts against existing security challenges related to gender based violence, trafficking and abuse of narcotic drugs, and corruption among others. “It is very disheartening to encounter a drug addict. This is something we all have to stand up against. This country has a target both in security and development and we don’t want to leave anyone behind in this quest.” While presenting the status of the 7th edition of security and hygiene campaign, City of Kigali Vice Mayor in charge of Economic Development, Parfait Busabizwa, said that one of the major achievements is “citizens’ involvement in security-related matters where there is an impressive change in attitude and participation in public safety initiatives.” editorial@newtimes.co.rw
