The campaign to completely eliminate asbestos roofing and ceiling materials began in 2011, at which point buildings across the country were found to have over 1.692 million square metres of asbestos. Currently, only around 300,000 square metres remain to be removed.
The dangers of asbestos in roofing materials arise when the materials become damaged or deteriorate over time, releasing microscopic asbestos fibres into the air. When inhaled, these fibres can lodge in the lungs and lead to serious diseases, including cancer.
RHA's Director General, Alphonse Rukaburandekwe, told members of Parliament from the Public Accounts and Budget Committee that the new allocation amounting to Rwf 2,102,929,920 is expected to accelerate the removal of remaining asbestos roofs, ensuring safer living and working environments in line with national health and safety standards.
He noted that although the project has been ongoing for years, it has frequently encountered challenges related to the unexpectedly large quantities of asbestos, which often exceeded initial budget estimates.
He indicated the goal is to complete the full removal of asbestos roofing by 2027.
In 2024, Mathias Ntakirutimana, the National Coordinator of the Asbestos Removal Project at RHA, told IGIHE that the project was nearing completion.
At that time, about 130,000 square metres of asbestos remained on buildings owned by citizens, churches, and religious institutions, while government buildings still had approximately 180,000 square metres to be removed.
Ntakirutimana said that adequate disposal sites have been prepared to safely bury the asbestos roofing and ceilings without harming nearby ecosystems.
These are specially dug pits using modern methods, some measuring 60 metres long and 20 metres wide, while others are 20 by 30 metres, with a depth of six metres. A pit is considered full when it is just two metres from the surface and is then sealed off.
In the Southern Province, such pits are located in the districts of Kamonyi, Muhanga, Nyanza, Huye, and Gisagara. In the Eastern Province, they are found in Rwamagana, Nyagatare, Kayonza, Ngoma, and Bugesera.
In the Northern Province, pits are located in Musanze, Gicumbi, and Rulindo. In the Western Province, they are in Karongi, Rubavu, Ngororero, and Rusiziâ€"areas where asbestos was once commonly used.
Once filled, these pits are covered with soil and trees are planted on top. The trees help purify the air and hold down the soil to prevent any asbestos dust from rising.
IGIHE
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/gov-t-allocates-rwf-2-1-billion-for-asbestos-removal-in-2025-2026
