RGB urges local govts to fund own budgets

The Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) has embarked on holding policy dialogues across the country geared at boosting revenues for local governments. In the Eastern Province, the policy dialogue was attended by several leaders including the Minister for Trade and Industry, local leaders, Private Sector, Civil Society and Religious Based Organisations representatives.

Friday, June 13, 2014

The Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) has embarked on holding policy dialogues across the country geared at boosting revenues for local governments.

In the Eastern Province, the policy dialogue was attended by several leaders including the Minister for Trade and Industry, local leaders, Private Sector, Civil Society and Religious Based Organisations representatives.

Addressing participants who gathered in Rwamagana District for the dialogue, RGB Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Prof. Anastase Shyaka, said the aim of the dialogue was to equip the local leaders with knowledge and skills to generate revenue.

Prof. Shyaka added that increased collection of revenues will pave way for self-reliance of local governments.

"We have the means. What we need are strategies to take full advantage of opportunities that lie within our hands. About 85 per cent of the local governments’ budget still comes from the central government. We  need to reverse the trend,” Shyaka said.

Governor Odette Uwamariya of Eastern Province pointed out that the province had vast resources.

 "We all need to contribute towards building a self-reliant economy. We have got the resources to achieve this. We have a lot of untapped resources including; lakes, minerals and fertile land,” she said.