LOCAL LEADERS from across the Southern Province have been urged to devise strategies that will ensure citizens’ active participation in the formulation and implementation of developmental programmes.

The call was made on Thursday at a two-day meeting that sought to discuss investment opportunities and other economic potentials that can be exploited to stimulate national development.

The function was organised by the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) and brought together local leaders, civil society members, religious leaders and key actors in the private sector, among others.

It was held under the theme: "enhancing local investments and own revenues for self-reliance in the local governments.”

Prof. Anastase Shyaka, RGB Chief Executive Officer, told the leaders that attaining self-reliance requires concerted efforts.

He reminded them that the country aspires to become a middle-income country, with a target of an annual growth rate of at least 11.5 per cent in its quest to lift its population out of poverty.

Shyaka also spoke of the leaders’  responsibility to work for the common good of all Rwandans.

"We want our country to be self-reliant. We want our future to be driven by our own citizens and our growth to rely on our own initiatives,” Shyaka said.

He told the leaders that for that ‘ambitious goal’ to be achieved, there is need to come up with strategies and measures that "encourage hard work, job creation and collaboration” between the citizens and the various stakeholders involved with the nation’s development.

He also encouraged them to root for citizens’ participation in policy formulation and implementation.

The Southern Province Governor, Alphonse Munyantwali, said ownership of developmental programmes is an important step towards development.