Minister Musoni challenges mayors on service delivery

Effective communication and properly planned meetings between central and local government leaders can ensure good governance in the decentralised structures, the Minister for Local Government, James Musoni, has said. Musoni was speaking at the closure of a two-day district mayors’ retreat in Rubavu District on Saturday.The retreat was organised by the Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities (RALGA).The mayors decried the many impromptu meetings organised at the central government level, which they said keep them away from their offices.“As district leaders, there is a lot on our plate that needs attention. However, there are impromptu meetings and sometimes unannounced visits by central government officials which disrupt our activities,” said Justus Kangwage, the Mayor of Rulindo District and RALGA chairperson.Musoni said the Government is planning to reduce meetings through the use of ICT facilities. He, however, said meetings are important for coordination and follow-up.“We have a video conferencing facility linking the central government, the provinces and districts and it is already in use. At least people will not have to be called to Kigali for meetings,” he said.Musoni challenged the mayors that while the central government sorts out their concerns, they should also give more time to grassroots leaders, whom he said are in direct contact with the population.He urged them to properly understand the principles of good governance and servant leadership through efficient service delivery to the people.“Some leaders force residents to pay health insurance fees (mutuelle de santé) and this is a barrier to good governance,” Musoni said.He cited an incident in Gicumbi District, Gihembe cell, Kageyo Sector in where local leaders illegally arrested residents, accusing them of failure to attend a local meeting. The minister cautioned leaders against such acts.“People need to be educated about the importance of government programmes,” he said.Musoni urged the mayors to closely monitor grassroots leaders in their respective districts.The retreat was also an opportunity for the mayors to discuss how they can implement the recommendations from the just-concluded National Dialogue Council (Umushyikirano).They also discussed preparations for the 20th commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi and the liberation anniversary, among other issues.