WESTERN PROVINCE
 
NYABIHU — The district Mayor Jean Damascene Ndagijimana, has said he believes his district can do better, despite the previous poor performance, while  meeting residents recently.

Nyabihu District trailed other districts in the province during last week’s evaluation of performance contracts, after the first quarter.

"It’s distressing to know that we were the last in the recent performance contract evaluations yet Nyabihu is one of the richest, fertile and big producers of Irish potatoes,” he said.

Ndagijimana attributed their previous poor ranking to ignorance and poor coordination between residents and local leaders.

"It is sad to know that in spite of our fertile soils, some of our residents are suffering from nutritional diseases. Most of our residents also have the capacity to join health insurances…but it’s heartening to note that currently only 67% of the residents have health insurances,” he added.

He called upon all area local leaders to work hard, sensitise residents on various government policies including poverty eradication and education.

He also urged residents to join cooperatives through which they can rear rabbits, grow fruits and do poultry farming which he said would improve their diet and generate incomes.

"This calls for cooperation between residents and leaders. Nyabihu emerging last is a shame not only to leaders but to you too as residents because you have been reluctant to play your role in implementing various government policies,” he noted.

MP Anne Marie Dusabemungu, urged men against polygamy, which she said was common in the area.

"You are blessed with fertile volcanic soils. Use the chance to improve your living conditions. There are also many cases of polygamous marriages here which have affected living conditions of many women. Such things should come to an end,” she said.

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