RWAMAGANA-The Governor of the Eastern Province, Dr. Aisa Kirabo Kacyira, at the weekend demanded that sustainable development be at the heart of any planning system.

In a strongly worded message to the provincial General assembly held in Rwamagana, Kacyira, said that local leaders should show more commitment to serve Rwandans.

The annual General assembly was convened to stress the role of all stakeholders in addressing challenges hindering sustainable development.

The assembly attracted all leaders from the cell to the provincial level, officials from the Ministry of Local Government and other stakeholders.

The Governor noted that the province was veering away from dependence on rain fed agriculture to full scale irrigation during dry periods.

"Local leaders have got to show commitment to the people of Rwanda... a shared and common vision to eradicate poverty. We are on a path to sustained economic growth and sustainable development,” she said.

She observed that the province was blessed with enough water bodies and the issue of water scarcity should not be raised.

"We are set to irrigate over 4,000 hectares...mechanised agriculture system is in the pipeline. All activities however, should not jeopardise the environment. Sustainable development must be accompanied by environmental protection,” Kirabo asserted.

Everest Mutimura, a renowned local farmer from Karenge sector in Rwamagana District, told the assembly that there was need for more sensitisation campaigns to promote agriculture.

"People have land, but don’t know its importance...few of us have changed our lives drastically through modern agriculture. Let local leaders teach people, how to utilise land as an important factor of production,” he observed.

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