WESTERN PROVINCE

RUSIZI — The visiting government officials from the west African country of Mali have said they are impressed by Rwanda’s decentralisation programme.

The six-man delegation made the remarks on Monday after touring various development projects in Rusizi district.

Led by Moussa Doumbia, the president of Decentralisation cooperation in Bougoumi region in Mali, the team inspected a biogas plant at Cyangugu central prison in Kamembe sector, Mururu Primary School in Mururu sector, Gishoma market which was built by Community Fund in Gashonga sector, and the Rice cooperatives in Bugarama sector.

They also visited Rwanda Cement factory, CIMERWA in Muganza and Amashyuza hot springs also in Muganza sector.

"We visited Rwanda in order to see what is really on the ground. And see how   decentralisation and other programmes are being implemented countrywide because we also want to go back and apply them in our country (Mali), Doumbia said, adding "Rwanda is ahead of us in terms of decentralisation and other government programmes.”

Doumbia singled out performance contracts (Imihigo), One Cow-One family, Gacaca courts as among the programmes they would adopt.

"We have been over impressed by several government programmes…we will also adopt them when we go back because they are so good,” Doumbia added.          

Earlier, the group held discussions with Rusizi district Mayor and other officials during which they were briefed on various government development policies.

Before visiting Rusizi, the team had been to Rutsiro district where they participated in last Saturday’s communal work (Umuganda).

According to Doumbia, they would also visit Bugesera district, Rwanda Environment Management Authority and Kimisagara Youth centre in Nyarugenge in Kigali city before wrapping up their tour.

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