On 22nd December 2022, the Ministry of Interior organized a consultative meeting with mining, quarry and civil works companies that use dynamites   to address the challenges revealed by the recent joint inspections carried out by MININTER, Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), Rwanda National Police (RNP) and Rwanda Mines, Gas and Petroleum Board (RMB).

In his remarks while opening the meeting, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior, Mr. SESONGA Benjamin, said that dynamites and other related explosives have an essential role in easing and speeding up both mining, quarry and civil works activities which contributes tremendously to the country’s economic and infrastructure development.

He however added that these materials should be cautiously stored since they can lead to accidents, environmental threats and source of internal insecurity in case they are poorly managed. This is why the Ministry of Interior will consistently organize joint inspections and such meetings to ensure the good use and storage of these materials.

 The key challenges revealed by the inspections include the big number of expired dynamites, lack of seismography for some companies, substandard storages, failure to provide reports on used dynamites, lack of personal protective equipment for personnel, failure to abide by environmental protection laws, and unresolved complaints of citizens whose property were damaged by blasting of dynamites among others.

During the meeting, the participants exchanged ideas on identified challenges and came up with recommendations aimed at addressing them.