NGOMA- A delegation of 27 members of Ngoma District Advisory Council Tuesday inspected various development projects in the district.

Led by the chairman Joseph Sematabaro, the councillors were accompanied by members of the district Executive Committee.

According to Sematabaro, the tour was meant to provide first hand experience on issues affecting communities, and how they are involved in implementation of government programmes. 

‘We intend to end the arms-chair management of society…we want to assess the successes and failures registered so far, so that we go back to the drawing board with tangible experience,’ he said. 

Charles Ntageruka, the Vice Mayor in charge of Economic Affairs, said that the tour helped bridge the gap between the people and the councillors. 

He noted that some members of the community don’t even know the role of the councillors. ‘Councillors are decision-makers, which means they are our managers, including the executive and the population. It is imperative that they get in contact with the people and the issues on the ground,’ he emphasised. 

‘Leaders have to visit us in communities if they want to know what people really need. It is illogical to sit in offices and imagine solutions to problems they don’t know, so this is a good gesture from councillors,’ said one of the residents, Bertha Mukamboneza, 37. 

According to authorities, the councillors are expected to meet later this week to pass the 2010-2011 district budget.

Ends