Ngoma – Aphrodis Nambaje was on Thursday elected the new mayor of Ngoma District.Nambaje who has been working with a local NGO, polled 153 votes, defeating his rivals Judith Murekatete and Steven Bizumuremyi who garnered 51 and 32 votes, respectively.More than 235 voters who included members of the district and sector advisory councils cast their votes.The post fell vacant two months ago, after the then Mayor, Francois Ntiyotwagira, resigned citing personal reasons.The district advisory council, however, said Niyotwagira’s departure was related to gross administrative irregularities that marred his leadership.The council alleged that the mayor was involved in intolerable land grabbing, before it endorsed his resignation letter.Speaking after the elections, the newly-elected mayor pledged to foster social economic development during his tenure."I will embark on what is urgent, tackle development issues…this is why we seek office, to serve the people. I will dedicate all my time to serve the people to the best of my ability,” he said.Odette Uwamariya, the Governor of Eastern Province, who witnessed the elections, challenged the electorate to support the Mayor to realise the district’s goals.She said the district was endowed with fertile soils, which she said they should make a springboard to prosperity."Let us take it upon ourselves to work towards realisation of performance contracts. Don’t leave the work to the Mayor alone. However, he should also know that the public expects him to deliver,” she said.