WESTERN PROVINCE

RUBAVU — The Prime Minister Bernard Makuza has cautioned local leaders to avoid wrangles in order to deliver residents from poverty.

Speaking at a function to evaluate performance contracts for Western Province districts, after the first quarter of 2008, recently the Premier Makuza noted that leaders needed to work together to achieve the country’s development goals. The ceremony was held at Gisenyi Cultural Centre.

Premier Makuza called upon the leaders to speed up the implementation of the goals set out in performance contracts. The goals are based on the four development pillars of good governance, economic development, welfare and justice.

"The Western Province is blessed with many opportunities; natural resources, many tourist attractions and rich fertile volcanic soils. We just need cooperation among the leaders and coordination to achieve economic revolution and improve the people’s welfare,’’ Makuza said.

The function attracted several government ministers, provincial, district, religious leaders and representatives of NGOs, army and police chiefs.

Protais Musoni, the minister of Local Government, urged residents to always enlist the stake of residents in developmental initiatives. He urged local leaders to be instrumental in the implementation of the government policies.

Musoni asked districts to learn from each other certain models and initiatives for economic revolution. "The districts that are still lagging behind should learn from those that have good performance. And develop competition based on learning from each other," he said.

According to the statistics presented at the function by the mayors, Rutsiro district emerged first with 88.9%, Karongi came second with 86.6%, Nyabihu took the third position with 82%, while Rubavu trailed others with 70%.

Rubavu district officer in charge of good governance Martin Habimana, said they would strive to "have achieved a lot by the end of this year."

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