To maintain the top spot in performance contracts (Imihigo), Kicukiro District has unveiled plans to make that possible. It was disclosed Friday during the annual retreat of its leaders in Kigali. Jules-Paul Ndamage the district’s Mayor, said one of their targets was to give a boost to infrastructure. “Construction of a modern shopping mall worth Rwf1.8 billion is already underway, and soon the establishment of a multi-purpose conference centre estimated at Rwf300 million will kick off,” he noted, adding that they were also looking at strengthening transparency. “We want to intensify our fight so even the pettiest potential cases of corruption are not given a chance”. Ndamage added that improving of the quality of service delivery and creating alternative sources of income was also top on the agenda. “We want to reduce reliance on government funds. And we are doing this by encouraging private investments which will in the long run widen our tax base,” he added. Adalbert Rukebanuka, the district’s Executive Secretary, said they were targeting improving the roll-out of Mituelle De Sante (Community based health cover) that currently stands at 85 per cent. “We plan to intensify mobilisation, so the 15 per cent gap is covered,” he remarked. Kicukiro District, alongside Karongi , emerged best performer countrywide in implementation of the 2012-2013 performance contracts after obtaining a score 97 per cent. Imihigo, a performance-based approach was introduced in 2006 with an aim of reinforcing the performance of local governments through articulating objectives which reflect priorities of the local population and developing realistic strategies to achieve them.
