KIGALI- The new Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local government (MINALOC), Cyril Turatsinze has vowed to further improve the welfare of the people. He made the commitment, yesterday, during a handover ceremony at the Ministry offices in Kacyiru.

Turatsinze replaces Eugene Balikana, who was transferred to the Office of Prime Minister as the Director of Cabinet.

Turatsinze said he was delighted to serve in the ministry, stressing that his priority would be to consolidate the achievements already registered.

"I have always wished to work with MINALOC due to its transparency. It is a very challenging position and I hope the experience will expand my performance,” he said.

Turatsinze pledged to give his best to sustain a good image of the ministry and called for a spirit teamwork to push the country forward.

Balikana, thanked his former colleagues for the cooperation that enabled the ministry to achieve a lot and called for continued cooperation.

"I have left a lot of work that needs to be urgently accomplished. I know Turatsinze will not encounter any hardship given the result-oriented attitude of the staff. I have no doubt that with the friendly atmosphere in the ministry, MINALOC will always come at the top,” he said.

Balikana enumerated to the new PS what needed to be accomplished, highlighting the eradication of thatched housing among the key projects.

"I will always respond to the ministry’s call for help,” Balikana pledged.

Local Government Minister, James Musoni, who presided over the event, congratulated the two, saying that their promotions emanated from hard work. He urged them to maintain the spirit in their new responsibilities.

Prior to his new posting, Turatsinze was the Deputy Gender Monitor in the National Gender Monitoring Office.

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