The Minister of Local Government, James Musoni, Sunday evening handed over the first fleet of 292 vehicles to Executive Secretaries of Sector to facilitate them in their duties.The government spent Rwf 8 million on each vehicle. The Executive Secretaries will repay for the vehicles in monthly installments for a period of five years.The first fleet that the minister unveiled is composed of 159 vehicles while the second and final one is expected to arrive this week.The local officials’ cars, most of which are the ‘Great Wall Haval H5” type from China, were exempted from all taxes and beneficiaries are expected to pay Rwf 242, 000 monthly.The money will largely be drawn from the lump-sum account, which is allocated to some public servants to facilitate them in transport.Sector Executive Secretaries are allocated a monthly lump-sum allowance of Rwf208,000.Handing over the cars to the excited local leaders, Musoni, pointed out that in 2006, Executives Secretaries were offered motorcycles because the government could not afford vehicles."Your performance was very impressive when we gave you the motorcycles, now that the economy has grown, we are giving you vehicles but we also expect your delivery to increase,” he told them.He added that Rwanda is blessed to have local leaders who are committed to serving the public, which is why the government is proud to assist them execute your duties effectively."The motorcycles we gave you five years ago were worth Rwf 1 million each; these cars are worth Rwf 8 m meaning you have to set targets of delivering eight times more than how you have been performing,” said Musoni.The Executive Secretary of Rwezamenyo Sector in Nyarugenge District, Alex Semitali, expressed his excitement over the brand new cars, but requested the government to review the lamp-sum given to them so that they could afford to maintain the cars."When the idea of giving us cars was first presented to us, it sounded like a dream, but now it’s a reality. We promise the public we will serve them beyond their expectations,” said Semitali.He added that in 2006, they were provided with motorcycles and their performance increased by 80 percent, on average."Now that we have been given cars, there is no doubt we will deliver more. However we request for facilitation in terms of fuel and maintenance.”The State Minister for Transport, Dr Alexis Nzahabwanimana, said the government recognises the value of local leaders hence his office’s pledge to support them in all ways, including looking into their demands.