Rwamagana-The newly appointed Governor of the Eastern Province, Dr. Aisa Kirabo Kacyira, says there is need to enhance participatory leadership within local government to achieve sustainable development

Addressing a press conference at the Provincial headquarters in Rwamagana, on Wednesday, Kirabo challenged leaders to involve stakeholders in decision making.

In future, she noted, leadership performance contracts will be signed after consultations right from the grassroots  to reflect the needs of the beneficiaries.

 Reacting to journalists’ question, whether she would beautify towns in the province to the levels of Kigali city, the Governor said she would involve people in such processes.

"In Kigali city, we involved the people…they owned the process of green beautification and it worked. The same thing may be applied in this part of the country… people have to own the development process, if we are to succeed,” she said.

The incoming governor added that she was pleased with the level of development in the province, particularly in areas of agriculture.

"I have worked in this province a couple of years ago, as a veterinary officer. There were enormous challenges, but I can assure you that there is great positive change”.

However, Muhamed Ntahimana, a resident of Rwamagana town while reacting to the new governor’s remarks, blames underdevelopment of some districts on poor implementation of government programmes.

He said that Rwamagana town remained dull and unattractive, due to what he termed as the past leadership’s failure to involve the people in decision making.

"This town doesn’t enjoy the benefits of its proximity to the capital city. We have no park, the town is surrounded by banana trees, and we are yet to attract bigger forms of  investments and unemployment remains high,” he lamented.

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