The Minister in the President’s Office, Solina Nyirahabimana, yesterday told local leaders from Rwamagana district to remove their neck-ties, wear gumboots and move from house to house, rallying people behind development projects.

The Minister was reacting to leaders’ comments that the residents are lazy and reluctant to work. She advised the leaders to avoid lame excuses and counter accusations whenever they fail, because they only promote the blame game.

"There is no short-cut; you either succeed or fail. So forget about the poor attitude towards work by the local population. You must work hard to change them…no one wants to partner with a failure,” she said.

"I am saying this because at the end of the day, it is you the leaders who take the blame. Take the challenge by the horns”.

The Mayor of Rwamagana, Nehemie Uwimana, reiterated the importance of mass mobilization, and noted that the district has embarked on massive crop production.

He said that under the system of land consolidation, hundreds of hectares have been planted with expectations of a mega-harvest.

The Mayor, however, requested the minister to help the district attract major financing agencies or projects, to boost the economic development of the district.
Geoffrey Mushaija, the Executive Secretary of the district, said that there is a long way to go in changing people’s mindsets.

"Our people have an attitude that only time can change. They seem content with the little they own…we are, however, optimistic that they will change with time,” he said.

Nyirahabimana is specifically designated to oversee Rwamagana District.

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