Rwanda: MPs start to examine Government’s role in preventing fire outbreaks

The Committee on Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Security to oversee Government actions on fire fighting and prevention. The Committee on Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Security has started to oversee the activities of the Government of Rwanda in preventing fire.

The oversight comes in following the increasing fire outbreaks across the Country despite the adoption of the instructions for preventing and fighting against fire. Senators expect to meet with different Public institutions in charge of fire issues, the Rwanda Insurers Association, and the Private Sector Federation.

The Committee will also tour 19 districts countrywide to assess the enforcement of the Instructions for fighting against fire in public buildings, markets and malls, commercial and artisan hubs (udukiriro), industry, among others.

The Committee on Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Security reviewed the inspection report of the Ministry of Emergency Management (MINEMA) which highlights that many public and private buildings do not have the equipment to prevent and combat fires. The report states soaring number of fire outbreaks for the last 3 years: from 21 cases in 2018 to 71 cases in 2019 with 89 cases recorded in 2020.