EASTERN PROVINCE

RWAMAGANA — District leaders should own performance contracts to achieve development goals, the Governor, Theoneste Mutsindashyaka said.

"There is no way you can develop your district when you lack ownership. You must develop ownership of the performance contract and other responsibilities,” Mutsindashyaka said.

He was this Monday addressing a meeting of district leaders and heads of organisations operating in the Province at AVEGA center. The meeting aimed at laying strategies to achieve targets contained in the 2008 performance contracts.

"If you own something, work, performance contract, or any other responsibility, you will certainly change the mentality of residents, you lead, to work for development and you will be credited for that,” Mutsindashyaka said.

Mutsindashyaka warned district mayors against relaxing at the beginning of the year, only to start ‘fidgeting’ towards the end of the year.

"You should start in high gear like an airplane taking off, that is when you will be able to land at your destination safely,” he said.

Charles Gasana, the provincial executive secretary,  illustrated the governor’s point saying, "to achieve something, you must think about it, discuss it and have it on your everyday agenda and make operational plan for it, by giving it a time flame.”

During the meeting, Mayors assisted by their deputies, presented operational plans detailing how they would achieve their 2008 goals.

On irregularities in awarding of tenders, and misuse of government funds, Mutsindashyaka warned district leaders against abusing the tendering process.

Ends