The fourth Integrated Household Living Conditions Survey (EICV4) was launched yesterday, showing significant decrease in poverty levels. The report, which was compiled by the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR), shows that some 660,000 Rwandans moved above the poverty line over the last three years while poverty levels reduced by 5.8 per cent. The findings are good news for Rwandans and an indicator that the country is on a clear growth path. But as we celebrate this achievement, we should think about ways to double efforts so that in the next three years, the number of Rwandans getting out of poverty doubles the current figure of 660,000. These findings should motivate us to work harder both at the individual and national level to end extreme cases of poverty by the year 2020. Fighting poverty is a concerted effort and every citizen should play their part. As individuals, we should collectively fight anything that may derail the poverty fight drive, like corruption and poor service delivery, both in public and private sectors. Through collective efforts we can chart a bright future for the country. The findings are also a vote of confidence in government policies and strategies put in place to achieve national development. Like President Paul Kagame explained at the launch, the positive changes in improving people’s lives were a result of implementing policies based on evidence about the country’s needs for economic transformation. And these policies are based on seeking homemade solutions for the country’s challenges. Policies like Girinka, Imihigo (performance contracts), universal education and universal health insurance, among others, have proved that the answer to the country’s growth challenges is within homemade solutions, the reason why Rwanda has achieved this growth milestone.
