Kigali: Police and local authorities have strengthened partnership to ensure that government directives meant to further prevent the spread of novel Coronavirus are understood and respected.
While speaking at a press conference, the Minister of Local Government, Prof. Anastase Shyaka said that the country’s good governance system has been the driving force in effective implementation and response to the pandemic.
“Our country’s governance system emphasizes partnership at all levels and the policing duties equally falls under the responsibilities of local leaders,” Minister Shyaka said.
“As we face the pandemic of COVID-19, implementation and enforcement of the safety and other precautionary measures has not been left to the Police alone; all local entities are up in their respective areas to supplement the police day-to-day duties in ensuring that directives on COVID-19 are well respected,” he added.
The minister highlighted that there are still people, who don’t wear facemask, don’t wash or sanitize hands while others operate bars, one of the businesses that are still closed in this period; some churches also opened illegally without authorization.
He observed that the directives are clear and offers flexibility for people to run their errands
“Police cannot be everywhere, and in this case where they are not, local leaders and other community policing groups like Irondo and youth volunteers are there to ensure compliance and to help Police identify and arrest errant violators,” Minister Shyaka said.
RNP spokesperson, CP John Bosco Kabera observed that although the directives are generally respected, there are some people that still violate them, including the curfew.
“We are happy that the majority of people were responsive by supporting the enforcement in one way or another, including those who continue to give us information on violators. Nonetheless, we still see some individuals, who violate the directives especially motorists,” said CP Kabera.
“Police doesn’t get tired neither does it get annoyed. If you think that we will give up then you are lying to yourself; It is one thing to violate the directives and worse still undermine instructions by Police officers enforcing the directives; you will be arrested,” he warned. (End)