The Parliamentary Commission on Budget has applauded Rubavu District for exhibiting discipline in executing the budget allocated to them by the central government for the year 2011-2012.

It is within the mandate of the commission to visit all the districts in the country to assess, monitor and advise district authorities on how to budget for their resources and the priority sectors.

MP Abbas Mukama, the vice president of the commission, commended the district for being on the right track in implementing the Rwf 6.2 billion budget during the current fiscal year that is already halfway.

"We came to see if the district got the whole budget allocated to them, if the budget support pledged by development partners was received, as well as their target for the year ahead,” Mukama observed.

According to Rubavu budget office, Rwf 3.2 billion has so far been received, which is more than 50 percent of the total budget. Of the  Rwf 849 million grants expected, Rwf 335 million has been received.

They are optimistic of getting the balance in the last two quarters.

However, projects supposed to be funded by NGOs, especially water schemes, are short of funds since less than Rwf 100 million has been disbursed out of Rwf 500 million that was pledged.

"We also want to assess the impact on the welfare of people, the Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS) since the first phase is coming to an end,” added Mukama.

In regard to gender equality and women empowerment, the parliamentarians commended the district for its support to women cooperatives and other projects.

"It is a government policy to support women empowerment as well as including them in the budget and we have done that with the support of the government,” said Christopher Kalisa, the Executive Secretary of Rubavu District.

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