Leaders told to set realistic targets

Prime Minister Anastase Murekezi yesterday told local government leaders to draw performance contracts (Imihigo) that are achievable and avoid any ambiguities, duplication of responsibilities and unrealistic targets. The premier was chairing a one-day Imihigo validation meeting attended by officials from local and the central government. The meeting sought to review specific targets each of the provinces and the City of Kigali set for the Financial Year 2014/2015 before they are signed. Local leaders are expected to sign performance contracts with the President on Friday during an event where the best performers in the last financial year are expected to be recognised. “It’s been two months into the financial year, meaning we should have done proper planning by now. Imihigo should be achievable, sustainable and answering our specific concern of being a self-reliant nation,” Murekezi said. Harmonise performance He advised leaders to use the opportunity to harmonise local and central government performance contacts. “There is need to make proper allocation of finances to priority areas. There are circumstances where we have seen some duplications; for example, a district pledges to do something and a ministry pledges the same, at the end both the ministry and the district are claiming success, such duplications should not happen again,” he said. Local Government minister Francis Kaboneka asked Cabinet to have a harmonised way of working with districts to ensure that targets in all areas are collectively delivered. “The country has seen significant changes in areas of social, economic and governance clusters as a result of Imihigo,” Kaboneka said. The Mayor of City of Kigali, Fidele Ndayisaba, in his presentation, highlighted the construction of new feeder roads, construction of markets, access to clean water to up to 4,258 homes, with 4,700 to be connected to the electricity grid. “Construction of 1,000 affordable houses will kick off this year while 580 needy people will be given cows under the Gir’Inka programme,” Ndayisaba said. “Tax revenue is projected to increase by 21 per cent from 16 billion last year to 19 billion. We also target 100 per cent subscription on health insurance.” His presentation attracted much attention with several officials questioning how he intends to achieve his projections while others called for refocusing priorities. Foreign Affairs minister Louise Mushikiwabo welcomed the presentation. “World over, there is no city that runs with no challenges, otherwise this presentation seems unrealistic. We have to be realistic with the challenges, that is the only way we can confront them,” Mushikiwabo said. She cited the issue of public transport, saying construction of fast lanes for public buses was a long-term solution, adding that there was need to find an immediate solution to the problem of long queues that are witnessed at bus stops in the city. The four governors also made their presentations, which dwelt most on increasing agricultural productivity and infrastructure development. The officials will have to present their streamlined performance contracts on Friday.

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Leaders told to set realistic targets