EASTERN PROVINCE

RWAMAGANA — The Rwandese Association of Local Government Authorities [RALGA] has awarded Gishari Sector a new brand Yamaha motorbike for their efforts in promoting information technology.

Speaking of the prize this Tuesday at Gashari, the Sector executive secretary Emmanuel Havugimana reaffirmed his commitment to maintain the lead in ICT in the district.

"Gishari was among the five Sectors that were selected nation wide to be awarded prizes for achieving a lot in the 2007 performance contracts. In particular, RALGA awarded us a new brand self-starter Yamaha in recognition of our role in the promotion of ICT," Havugimana said, before starting the facility amid cheering from hundreds of residents who turned up for the ceremony.

Havugimana expressed gratitude to residents, saying the prize could not have been won without their input. He appealed to residents to embrace economic revolution by growing specialized crops that have been identified as suitable for their area. These include coffee, maize, rice and bananas.

Among the factors considered for winning the prize included the use of ICT to record all residents’ profile, data on crops grown in the sector and any other necessary data.

Havugimana appealed to district authorities for more support in the construction of feeder roads, extending electricity to Cells, building cell offices and equipping the cells with work facilities like computers.

In his speech, Mayor Valens Ntezirembo, who was the chief guest, thanked Sector officials for their hardwork and called on other Sector leaders to emulate Gashari. He promised to consider the requests they asked for.

Meanwhile, during the same ceremony the recently installed traditional group- Intore- received certificates of recognition amidst cheers and appraisal from residents.

The head of the Sector group said arrangements to establish Intore at the grassroots levels were underway. He revealed that four people had been chosen from each settlement –Midugudu- to be trained in order to come up with a stronger group at the Sector level.

Gishari Sector was also chosen for the pilot study for the issuance of the new National Identity cards. District officials, police and army representatives also attended Tuesday’s function.

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