AUTHORITIES at the City of Kigali have been urged to regularly approach citizens, listen and help them to tackle the problems they face in the community.

The message was delivered by Francis Kaboneka, the minister for local government, yesterday, while addressing local leaders of the City of Kigali during a meeting at Petit Stade in Remera.

The meeting was organised by the city council and brought together local leaders from the village level to the City level to discuss achievements during the 2015/16 fiscal year and prepare for new financial year.

The participants discussed the performance looking at three main pillars; economic development, social development, and good governance and justice.

Kaboneka recognised the achievements for the last year, but reminded the leaders that leadership should not be limited to personal interests

"Our leadership should focus on citizens. They are the ones who trusted and gave us responsibilities to serve them. We sometimes hear claims that after elections, leaders do not go back to the citizens. Listening to citizens helps them to grow more trust in us,” he said.

The minister told the leaders that they have to love their work, be responsible and dedicate their time working for the people.

One of the most critical resource Rwandans have is good leadership, Kaboneka noted.

Security and hygiene

Kaboneka said nothing can be achieved if the country is not peaceful.

"Police, among other security agencies, need your support in securing the country. We have recently heard about cases of terrorism. They [suspects] are your children who grew up in your villages. You should report such cases early,” he said.

On hygiene, Kaboneka said it should be treated like a culture.

"Do not wait for community service to clean dirty places,” the minister said.

He observed that Rwanda is hosting several international meetings because it boasts security, hygiene and good leadership.

The City of Kigali vice mayor in charge of social affairs, Judith Kazayire, emphasised on personal hygiene, in residences and at workplaces, saying it is key to good health.

"We have done a lot in improving hygiene in our city. The City is working hard to extend water to all residents. We have to renovate old water pipes, among others,” Kazayire said.

Athanase Rutabingwa, the president of Kigali City Council, told participants that the best quality of a good leader is to accomplish their vows.

He said performance contracts and commitments should not remain on paper but implemented to the letter, calling on local leaders to work hard and speak for the people they represent.

Achievements for last year

During 2015/16 fiscal year, the City of Kigali and the three urban districts of Gasabo, Kicukiro and Nyarugenge achieved a lot in different sectors, officials said.

Presenting the achievements, City officials showed that in agriculture, maize was cultivated on at least 7,900 hectares of land, beans on 16,122 hectares of lan.

The target for this financial year is to cultivate maize on 8,000 hectares of land and beans on 11,218 hectares of land.

At least 604 cows were distributed under Girinka programme, while the City targets to distribute 628 cows to poor households this year.

This year, 2,953 people are expected to be connected to clean and safe water. At least 4,500 off-farm jobs were created while 56,430 people got employed.

SACCOs registered 9,200 new members. Taxes were increased by 20 per cent equivalent to Rwf26 billion, figures showed.

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