Local leaders at different levels have been elected and sworn into office over the last couple of weeks. Some have retained their offices.  Several new entrants have also been elected into positions of responsibility.

The new entrants have been entrusted by the people with the responsibility to spearhead the development of their respective areas of jurisdiction.

For those who have retained their offices, it is a vote of confidence with regard to how they performed and conducted themselves over the last five years.

Thus as local leaders, they will embody hope for the masses and will be expected to serve to the best of their abilities.

It will be recalled that over the last five years, some were unable to complete their term of office owing to different reasons, with a number of them accused of impropriety.

Therefore, this new team of local leaders clearly understands what is expected of them and and are critically aware of what the price of failure is. 

The tasks ahead in the delivery of services and participation in the development process are enormous. So they have to hit the ground running.

Once in office, local leaders must remain close and accessible to their people and have an open door policy for all who need their services.

All Rwandans should support and cooperate with their newly elected leaders, in order to realize meaningful prosperity.

Ends