KIGALI - The Human Resources and Institutional Capacity Development Agency (HIDA) has ushered in a new board headed by Dr. David Himbara, the Head of the Policy and Strategy Unit in the President’s Office. Himbara, who together with six other members were appointed during last Friday’s Cabinet meeting, replaces Barnabé Sebagabo, who is the director of Planning, Policies and Capacity Building Unit in the Ministry of Public Service and Labour.

Out of the eight-member outgoing board, only one person – Eugenie Mukantagwera – bounced back in the new team that also includes Collette Ruhamya (deputy chairperson), Claver Secyugu, Enata Dusenge, Bakuramutsa Manzi, and Eugene Kayigamba.

Members on the outgoing board were Claver Kamana, Yves Ntabana, Parfait Busabizwa, David Nkusi, Darius Kankiriho and Charles Karake.  In his remarks at the handover, Dr. Himbara underscored Rwanda’s increasing population and unemployment challenges.

According to him, Rwanda is now approaching the 10 million population mark with about 5 million employable people yet there are very few absorbing [employment offering] institutions or companies.

‘‘Where are all these employable people?’’ Dr. Himbara asked what is considered ‘the big question’ while emphasizing a, ‘‘not better but different approach from my earlier colleagues’’ as his plan of action during his tenure.

He envisions working hard to figure out what short, medium and long-term measures are viable in dealing with capacity building issues among others. 

"My vision for HIDA is to be offensive but not oppressive. I will mainly focus on how we can absorb more from the funds that are allocated to this agency,” Himbara pointed out, adding,  "HIDA is not just a project that dishes out money anyhow; this is why I will focus more on implementation.” He urged HIDA staff to be more efficient in their work.

The Minister in the President’s Office, Solina Nyirahabimana, promised more support from the central Government, and urged the institution to live up to its expectations.

She warned the new board of serious challenges ahead, and urged them to put more emphasis on the implementation of the policies she said were well laid out.

Formerly under the Ministry of Public Service and Labour, HIDA now falls under the President’s Office. The new board has a three year mandate and is the second board since HIDA’s establishment in 2005.

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