KIGALI - The Minister of Local Government, James Musoni, on Thursday, presented before the Senate a draft law establishing the ‘Rwanda Governance Board (RGB)’.

The bill outlines the mission, organisation and functioning RGB, and had earlier been presented to the Lower Chamber of Parliament which passed it.

Defending the draft legislation, the minister said that the establishment of the Board is a result of the December 24, 2008 Cabinet resolution to reform government institutions.

The establishment of the RGB would automatically lead to merging several institutions and services within the local government ministry whose responsibilities relate to governance.

In general, the mission of   RGB   is to promote the principles of good governance and decentralization, monitor the practices of good governance in public institutions and conduct research in civic, political and corporate domains, for achieving institutional accountability, sustainable development and prosperity.

According to the bill, the Board will be charged with promoting good governance principles in political, public, corporate and civic domains, monitor good governance practices, especially service delivery in public institutions make evaluation and giving advice.

The board will also be charged with conducting regular researches and surveys on issues pertaining to good governance and disseminate findings.

Board members will also be participating in initiating and implementation of policies and strategies in the field of good governance and to advice the government on all policies, among other responsibilities.

Following Musoni’s presentation to the Senate, Senators approved the bill and forwarded it to the Senatorial Committee on Political and Good Governance.

Ends