The ministry in charge of transport is working to reduce air pollution. Thus, it recommends that investors take into account the quality of fuels and the mechanical characteristics of engines when importing or assembling vehicles. This is to avoid or reduce vehicle emissions.

Air pollution is not only a visual or olfactory discomfort, but it is also now the main environmental health risk in the world. Even if it is not the only contributor to air pollution, the transport sector plays a major role, especially in urban areas. For example, road transport accounts for almost half of nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide emissions. Moreover, while carbon monoxide emissions have fallen more quickly in road transport than in the rest of the economy, the opposite has happened in the case of nitrogen oxide emissions.

In an interview with our colleagues at RTNB, Mr. Samson Ndayizeye, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry in charge of Transport, specified that the challenges of air pollution in East Africa are attributed to the transport sector. He also said that this is a result of the fact that this region has an old and old car fleet.

This has been identified as a main threat to public health and the environment due to the harmful substances contained in vehicle emissions.

Absence of a regulation specific to the 2008 Nairobi Agreement

Contrary to popular belief, diesel vehicles are not the only emitters of fine particles at the outlet of the tailpipe; the new gasoline vehicles with direct injection also contribute to these emissions.

Despite the persistence of differences between the member states of the EAC to have the same regulations, Edouard Nyandwi, advisor to the Ministry in charge of transport, specified that each country takes initiatives to put in place specific regulations in accordance with the 2008 Nairobi agreement until laws are harmonized at the community level. He also said that the time limit for importing vehicles in Burundi, the age limit is 10 years while it is 8 years in Rwanda and Kenya. This explains the need to harmonize anti-pollution standards in the subregion.

What can we do about vehicle emissions?

An expert in persistent organic pollutants, Jérôme Karimumuryango said during this workshop that in order to deal with vehicle emissions, large-scale information and awareness-raising is planned for all stakeholders. This is in order to make them aware that vehicle emissions do exist in Burundi and that the substances they contain are harmful to human health and the environment.

It also indicates the need for a national policy and adequate regulation. Used vehicles that are older than the required age and low-quality fuels will continue to be imported from abroad. This expert also adds that it is also necessary to act on existing vehicles in the country by requiring the regular defouling of the engine.

The import of vehicles that fall into the oldest category should be suspended; according to the expert. He believes that it is imperative that, in the context of vehicle emissions management, the characteristics of the fuels used be well controlled in order to adopt harmonized anti-pollution standards in the subregion. He pointed out that the strategic approach to managing vehicle emissions initiated by the Ministry in charge of transport is based on 3 axes and 22 actions and will cost 37. 296. 875 USD. However, it should be remembered that the 2018-2019 finance law provided for an exemption from duties and taxes on the importation of new right-hand vehicles for the paid transport of persons with a capacity of at least thirty (30) seats. However, this facility was a promise not fulfilled as right-handed buses are still expensive to buy.

Remember that air remains a fundamental and indispensable element for living beings. So, every day, we inhale about 20 m3 of air. It is originally composed of a set of gases and particles whose presence and concentrations are such that life is possible. For the moment, this remains a unique case in all known planets.