Editor,

I commend the government for the decision to distribute laptop computers to local leaders at the cell level.

As a social worker, one of the challenges I have faced is lack of updated statistics on various government programs especially at the grassroots level.

Community development programs like vision Umurenge and Ubudehe have greatly uplifted many Rwandans out of poverty. The challenge has been documenting this feat.

Statisticians say that ‘if you don’t count, you don’t count’; it will be difficult to plan for people you cannot classify in terms of age, number and economic status, among others.

I hope the Cell Executive Secretaries will put the computers to good use by keeping all vital information about the people they lead.

The program is also timely given that the fibre optic roll-out in all the 30 districts of the country is now complete. This will make e-governance, as is enshrined in Vision 2020, a reality.

Connection to the internet would enable local leaders an to communicate. Information is power and with access to the internet, local leaders will also be able to  carry out research on issues that affect the welfare of the people they lead.

For this to work, it is paramount to train the leaders on the use of the gadgets.

Josh Gato
Kigali