Steel plant in Rwanda closes due to harmful emissions

The New Times Rwanda reported that the Rwandan Environmental Protection Agency has closed SteelRwa, an air pollution steel mill. Ms Coleta Rouhamia, CEO of REMA, told the Sunday Times that the Ruamagan plant emits harmful gases. Ms Rukhamya said the environmental authority had warned the factory about the contamination, but it did not heed the warning. She pointed out that when REMA conducted a spot check on Wednesday evening, it was revealed that the factory was emitting pollutants. She added that "we realized that when we inform [plant managers] of our assessment visit, they are hiding the gases, so we decided to visit them without notice."

Ms Rukhamya said that "we approve of investments, but we do not support investments that intoxicate Rwandans or other people in general, leaving them suffering from disease from toxic emissions."

She said the authority advises investors to always carry out environmental impact assessments, so they are taking precautions to mitigate such impacts.

People living in the area of ​​the plant complained about harmful gases until they turned to parliament. Emissions are harmful. People who live near the factory are exposed because they are constantly breathing them in.