As 2020 approaches, we need to run even faster

Editor, LET ME thank President Paul Kagame for convening the 11th National Leadership Retreat. We need such gatherings because they chart the direction where the country should head and help designate our respective roles to ensure that the country’s development aspirations are achieved. In your article about this year’s Leadership Retreat, “Kagame urges leaders to deliver services” (Sunday Times, March 9), you reported that the President said “the current performance has to be significantly improved if the country is to realise growth targets that have been planned in EDPRS 2 and Vision 2020.” That is one of the many reasons I love and support President Kagame. He believes in running faster to achieve the country’s goals. We should also remember that it’s a matter of less than six years to the Year 2020. It’s for that same reason we should look back and ask ourselves how far we have gone, how much we have achieved, and what we are eyeing in the future. I like the way the first day of the retreat tackled some of the pressing issues – such as energy, hospitals and several other infrastructure projects– that must be addressed with a sense of urgency. The retreat also looked into a syndrome among some leaders who avoid their responsibilities. But if our leaders let go of that habit and work in accordance with “Accountable Governance” principles, our goals as a nation will surely be achieved within the set timeframe. I don’t know why but it appears leaders at the 11th Leadership Retreat might have forgotten one of the pressing issues: water. There is an acute shortage of clean water in the country and this is affecting people economically. There are some places in Kigali where people spend about $100 a month on fetching water. This money could have done something else, including saving for future investment. Having water 24/7/356 across the entire country is one of the goals of Vision 2020. I appeal to government to make water a top priority and let the people demand accountability whenever a certain leader failed to meet the deadline. Thank you. Mutara Intore, Rwanda

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As 2020 approaches, we need to run even faster