WESTERN PROVINCE

RUSIZI — Rwandans should work hard and adopt family planning in order to improve their economic status, the State Minister for community development and social affairs has said.

Addressing a one-day workshop in Kamembe sector, Rusizi district last week, Christine Nyatanyi challenged leaders to step up the family planning campaign among residents, saying it was the only way to improve economically, socially and politically.

"You as leaders in your respective capacities should always work hard to enhance uniform development in the region. It is also your responsibility to encourage local residents to produce few children by adopting family planning, because the country is facing an escalating problem of over population that is outpacing the country’s economic growth," Nyatanyi urged.

She also called upon the participants to encourage residents to set up income generating projects that would bail them from poverty. She appealed to residents to play an active role in all government programmes like Gacaca and community work (Umuganda).

Participants were further advised to always share valuable information especially concerning matters of security, by encouraging residents to always report suspicious cases to concerned security organs in time.

Some of the local leaders in attendance pointed out that lack of transport facilities was affecting service delivery particularly at the cell levels.

The workshop attracted sector Executive Secretaries from the Rusizi and Nyamasheke districts, and vice mayors in charge of economic and social affairs. It was meant to discuss issues concerning the current situation of last month’s earthquake victims.

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