KIGALI - President Paul Kagame, last night, called on all Rwandans to begin the New Year with renewed efforts and determination to deal with the challenges the country is faced with. The President emphasised that the country cannot afford to see the, solid foundation and massive progress registered during 2010, reversed.

In his New Year’s message, the President wished all Rwandans a happy and prosperous New Year, noting that it does not only present the Rwandan people with an occasion to look back on the past year and reflect on the remarkable progress made, but also take time to look ahead and resolve to do more and better.

"There can be no doubt that the gains Rwanda is making cannot be reversed. Every Rwandan should, therefore, feel confident and optimistic about the future because we are on the right path to development,”

"The challenge we must now face is scaling up the process to ensure all Rwandans enjoy a higher standard of living.  We have built the solid foundations we need to get us to that level in terms of institutions, physical and social infrastructure and an enabling political environment,” President Kagame said.

He added that Rwandans have already demonstrated that the country can be transformed through their own efforts - planning and working together to ensure food security, building more schools and  hospitals,  rolling out water and electricity to all parts of the country, improving the road network and building better settlements.

The President observed that the Rwandan people have demonstrated their preparedness to pursue and defend their national interests, beliefs and values, and the truth.

Ends