The Cleaner Production and Climate Innovation Centre on Friday, May 12, 2023 joined the National Industrial Research and Development Agency (NIRDA) and partners to honor employees of former Institut de Recherche Scientifique et Technologique (IRST) killed in 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

The commemoration event was preceded by a night vigil held on Thursday night at NIRDA Research and Development Center, Huye District, where the former IRST was operating from. The commemoration was also marked by a walk to remember held from Huye NIRDA Research and Development Center to the Genocide memorial site of the University of Rwanda’s where the victims are laid to rest.

At the memorial site, a minute of silence was observed and wreaths were laid on graves at the UR Genocide Memorial site to honor the lives of victims killed during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

Speaking at the commemoration event, the Director General of NIRDA, Dr. Christian Sekomo Birame, lauded the efforts and sacrifice of men and women who stopped the Genocide and Rwandans are now living a dignified life without any form of discrimination.

“We are thankful to the Rwanda Patriotic Army’s men and women who stopped the Genocide and also to the good leadership that gives equal rights and opportunities to all Rwandans” the director general added.

The Director General also added that Rwandans must remain vigilant and fight the Genocide ideology that remains more especially in Rwandans living abroad.

He underscored the role of the current researchers and elites to work hard to bridge the gaps left by those who were killed in the Genocide.

The Director General in charge of Corporate Affairs at the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MINICOM) Claire Mukeshimana said that there is hope for life despite experienced bitter history, noting that the Government is committed to supporting Genocide survivors along the resilience journey.

The Cleaner Production and Climate Innovation Centre (CPCIC) is a government owned enterprise operating under the National Industrial Development Agency (NIRDA) with mandate to support the private and public sectors in adopting green technology, processes and practices for resource efficiency, cleaner production and circular economy to increase productivity, environmental protection and climate change resilience.