The newly opened Ndera Automobile Inspection Centre on Saturday, November 15, began testing motorcycle emissions as part of efforts to improve air-quality monitoring in Kigali. Rwanda National Police spokesperson, ACP Boniface Rutikanga, said the facility can inspect up to 650 vehicles a day, 450 cars and heavy machinery, and 200 motorcycles. ALSO READ: Govt to increase vehicle emission testing centres He explained that the centre is intended to ease congestion at the Remera inspection facility, which has been operating beyond capacity. “Remera has been recording the bigger number,” he said, noting that the site hosts several services in one compound, which often results in overcrowding. The Ndera centre, he added, offers more space and faster service. According to Rutikanga, Ndera will handle all gas-emission tests for motorcycles in the City of Kigali and will inspect heavy vehicles weighing 3.5 tonnes or more. Remera will continue to serve small vehicles. ALSO READ: One in five vehicles in Rwanda failed emission tests — REMA He said motorcycle emissions tests are quick, often completed “within a minute,” and that riders who maintain their motorcycles properly should have no difficulty passing. Other inspection centres are already operating in Rwamagana, Musanze and Huye, along with a mobile lane that serves parts of the Western and Southern provinces. “Our counterparts in Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) are looking at plans on how the mobile one we have can also help motorcyclists,” Rutikanga added. ALSO READ: Over 8,000 vehicles tested for emissions since late August He explained that while motorcycles are not large vehicles, their high number means they can still contribute substantially to air pollution. Eng Innocent Mbonigaba, the Program Manager at Rwanda Emission Inspection Program (REIP), said including motorcycles in emissions testing is part of the broader response to climate-related challenges. He noted that Remera centre's congestion made appointments difficult, sometimes taking up to two weeks. Mbonigaba said the passing rate for vehicles tested since August 25 ranges between 70 and 80 per cent of the total of around 12,400 tested. Failures, which account for 20 to 30 per cent, are often linked to poor maintenance or improper engine oil. He explained that motorcycles are tested by inserting a probe into the exhaust pipe to measure hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide. Petrol and diesel vehicles undergo similar procedures. Alphonse Tubahamwe, a taxi-moto rider whose motorcycle was the first to undergo testing at Ndera, said he passed because his bike is well maintained. “My vehicle was tested to check if I am not among the ones who pollute the air. Here is the certificate, I will have it for a year's period,” he said. Alexis Mbarushimana, another Kigali taxi-moto operator, said he came after seeing the announcement online. “The results came out well; I have passed,” he said. He urged his colleagues to “come and do the inspection to know the situation of their vehicles,” adding that Rwanda, like many countries, is facing the effects of climate change.
