Cell executive secretaries from Southern Province have resolved to improve governance, which they said will not only improve the welfare of the people, but also spur development in their respective areas.

They made the vow on Thursday during a meeting that brought together 532 cell members and other leaders from the province.

The cell executive secretaries also presented their performance contracts during the meeting that focused mainly on welfare and development programmes.

Speaking on behalf of the cell executive secretaries, Epimaque Rwandenzi noted that they need to get rid of what he called ‘leadership disease’ if they are to live up to their promise of improving people’s welfare. The ‘disease’, he said, is poor service delivery.

He said that some of the organs at the cell level, which are crucial in changing people’s lives, had become dysfunctional; these include, agriculture committees, advisory councils women councils, among others.

‘‘These should be urgently revived in order to serve the people better,’’he added.

According to Rwandenzi, social protection programmes like Gir’inka and Ubudehe have been greatly derailed by lack of commitment by leaders.

"Sometimes local leaders delegate sensitive duties like categorising people in Ubudehe or Gir’inka programmes which lead to the wrong people benefitting from these schemes. ‘‘We need to own them if they are to meet the desired impact,” said Elvania Mukakaziga, the executive secretary of Kivumu Cell in Kamonyi District.

The cell leaders also said they face some challenges. They cited incidences where they mobilise people and funds to build houses for the vulnerable, but after erecting the walls, they fail to raise enough funds for roofing from higher authorities.

As a result, their efforts are wasted and, at times, the beneficiaries put the blame on them when actually they have done what they are supposed to do.

They also cited lack of facilitation, especially for communication, which derails their work.

Governor Munyantwali said in the next financial year 2015/2016, there is money that will be allocated to cell executive secretaries to ensure they are financially empowered so that they properly execute their duties.

The meeting called for concerted efforts to effectively work toward achieving the development goals right from the grassroots level.

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