Local and central government leaders have signed new performance contracts also known as Imihigo, with President Paul Kagame.Imihigo for the current fiscal year (2013-2014) signed yesterday will set out to implement the first year of the EDPRS II agenda.Activities worth over Rwf 470 billion will be implemented under new district performance targets for the current fiscal year.The activities include production of more energy and connecting more people to the national power grid, building more roads, increasing mineral exploitation, increasing agricultural production, creating more jobs for the youth, building potable water plants, and investments in education and health sectors.President Kagame highlighted that Rwandans have chosen performance contracts as their way of work and encouraged everyone to contribute towards implementation of the set targets.Rigorous evaluationThe President encouraged more rigorous evaluation for the implementation of the performance contracts to ensure that every target is met.For Prime Minister Pierre Damien Habumuremyi, Imihigo have helped Rwandans achieve more because they work under clear targets and deadlines."I would like to thank everyone who participated in the implementation of Imihigo, especially people at grassroots,” he said.Kamonyi, Kicukiro, and Karongi emerged the best performing districts in the last fiscal year. Local Government minister James Musoni, noted that the development budget that the government allocates to districts has been growing over the last five years, from around Rwf62 billion in the fiscal year 2010/2011, slightly more than Rwf 200 billion for 2012/13, to almost Rwf300 billion for the fiscal year 2013/14.

A government evaluation found that three administration sectors— districts, the central government, and foreign missions—performed better in the last fiscal year (2012-2013) in comparison to the previous year (2011-2012).

-----------------------------What they expect from edprs2There is need for agricultural extension workers to help farmers improve on production. Agricultural mechanisation is also important since a big percentage of Rwandans are farmers. There is need for agricultural advice and training of farmers on proper farming methods to increase production.” Dative Mukamurigo, FarmerBusiness should be a top priority in EDPRS II, where people, especially the youth, who have great business ideas  but do not have capital should be supported. The Government should also focus on research.” Charles Mungwakuzwe, Student, KISTGovernment should motivate teachers. Teachers will not go an extra mile to help students without motivation. ” Jean Sylvere Uwamungu, TeacherCompiled by Seraphine Habimana