Members of Parliament yesterday reached a ‘mutual agreement’ on the need to seek ways to fix anomalies initially cited in the Vision 2020-Umurenge Programme (VUP).

VUP is an integrated social protection programme to accelerate poverty reduction across the country.

During a consultative session yesterday, Local Government Minister, James Musoni, and his team – including mayors, listened to proposals from MPs. The minister later told the House that all their recommendations would be taken and duly implemented.

Musoni was accompanied by Dr. Alvera Mukabaramba, the State Minister in charge of Social Affairs, and Justin Gatsinzi, an official in charge of the Social Protection Programmes in the ministry, as well as district mayors.

 "Together with all these local leaders here, we will implement them and will always seek your help and usual collaboration so that we implement them for the benefit of all Rwandans.”

Earlier on June 22, the lower chamber brought to light anomalies in the programme – including lack of necessary VUP guiding documents and lack of awareness among local officials.

The meeting agreed that the ministry would work on improving the capacity of local officials and staff involved in the programme while local authorities would step up ownership of the programme, on top of proper selection criteria for beneficiaries of the programme.

MPs also advised that a gender aspect be considered to enable women also benefit from the programme.

According to Musoni, so far, of the 416 sectors 120 are covered, starting with the poorest.

Ends