GASABO - Prime Minister Bernard Makuza has called on local authorities to take extreme care when handling public funds as proper accountability facilitates and fasttracks the country’s development.

Makuza sounded the caution while addressing a meeting in Kigali called to review the 2009 first term performance contracts.

"These performance contracts have performed greatly in steering the country to development, but as leaders, you should be vigilant in ensuring that wealth that is being created through the contracts is well managed,” said the Prime Minister.

Makuza told the local leaders to always follow up on the tenders awarded to private entities and ensure their completion to avoid unpleasant occurrences like they have caused in the past.

He also insisted on land consolidation after the Southern Province districts presented their performance contracts and said that the province had done little in the sector of land consolidation.

"I will be straight on land consolidation because like I told you, the problem is still there in some provinces and more efforts should be put in making sure that land is consolidated to enable good agricultural production in the country,” he said.

The 2009 first term performance contracts in general show tremendous improvements in the health, education and in the economic sectors.

The performance contracts are expected to be signed with the president soon.

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