KICUKIRO - Local leaders from all over the country gathered last week at Alpha Palace Hotel to review the achievements of the first half of the Decentralisation policy’s second phase.

In an interview, Eugene Barikana, the Secretary General in the Ministry of Local Government, said that the first phase of decentralisation was successfully implemented.

He also explained that the second phase started in 2005 and that this meeting would assess the achievements of the past three years and also emphasize making government policies more effective.

"The meeting is also aimed at planning for the next upcoming performance contracts for leaders at all administrative levels,” he said.

Barikana, who coordinated the opening of the meeting, said that it would be an opportunity to equip local leaders and Advisory Councils with more knowledge on their obligations and roles of operation.

"This will also be an opportunity for us to draw a plan of how to increase agricultural productivity focusing more on Vision 2020 and Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS),” said Barikana.

The meeting drew together governors of the four Provinces and the mayor of Kigali City, all 30 district mayors and members of district advisory councils.

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