Sectors fail to utilise dev’t funds

NYANZA–Some sectors in Nyanza District have failed to execute development projects listed in the last performance targets.

Saturday, April 28, 2012

NYANZA–Some sectors in Nyanza District have failed to execute development projects listed in the last performance targets. As a result, the money allocated to these sectors was not spent, a few months to the end of the financial year. For instance, in Busoro sector, Rwf 30 million allocated for the construction of lavatories has not been used.At a meeting that brought together local leaders from the district to discuss ways of fast-tracking the performance contracts (Imihigo), the district’s Mayor, Abdallah Murenzi, criticised some leaders for failing to use money allocated to the development of their communities, noting that such failures were frustrating developing efforts. "Once you do not use the money for planned activities and in due time, the money will be taken back and residents will be the ones to lose,” Murenzi said.He called on the grassroots leaders to improve service delivery and fast-track local development projects. "It is time to take measures against those who fail to fulfil their duties. Residents shall no longer continue to endure the burden of leaders who do not honour their obligations.” The Governor of the Southern Province, Alphonse Munyentwari, told the leaders that commitment was key to the nation’s success.Munyentwari observed that whenever leaders help uplift the living conditions of the population, society will support them and their initiatives."Residents will never be proud of a leader who cannot help them better their living conditions. Only achievements can make the population realise the benefits of what leaders are doing for them”, he said.The Governor called on the leaders to help residents understand the benefits of some policies like Land Use Consolidation and the Community Settlements (Imidugudu). The land consolidation programme seeks to merge fragmented plots of land and encourage the cultivation of particular crops on the consolidated land geared at maintaining food security.