EAC countries must harmonize vehicle emission standards to prevent air pollution: UN

The East African Community nations have been asked by the United Nations to harmonize vehicle emission standards.

The head of air quality and mobility unit at the UN Environment, Rob de Jong told the East African Community (EAC) countries to phase off old vehicles that produce dirty fumes and instead promote zero emission vehicles.

"There is need to develop a harmonized approach to ensure that the region has safe and quality air," de Jong told delegates attending EAC workshop on harmonization of vehicle emission standards. According to Jong, the region need to have similar quality of fuel as is the case with Europe and other parts of the world that is fast changing in line with environmental conservation so the region can enjoy benefits of clean fuel, as reported by Xinhua.

The director of environmental regulation and pollution control at Rwanda Environmental Management Agency, Remy Duhuze advised that all vehicles in the country undergo emission inspection to help prevent air pollution. "The inspection is mandatory for all vehicles with commercial ones undergoing inspection twice within six months," Duhuze cited. The country, according to him, has developed vehicle import strategy, apply strict import regulations and has banned small seater-capacity buses.

Duguze added that Rwanda is working on new transport policy, which is being informed by the ongoing feasibility study on green mobility. "The Kigali Motor Vehicle Inspection Center and its satellite centers are equipped with emissions inspection equipment while the national police have also been given hand-held inspection gadgets," he further said.

According to the UN Environment, stringent emission standards are needed to reduce pollution by over 85 percent. The UN environmental agency urges countries to avoid transport where necessary, shift to cleaner modes of transport and improve transport modes like cleaner cars and buses.

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