Work with local leaders, NGOs told

EASTERN PROVINCE RWAMAGANA — Non Government Organisations (NGOs) working in Rwamagana district have been asked to build close relationship with local leaders, in order to ensure effective implementation of their activities. Aline Mukantabana, the district official in charge of Good governance, said that NGOs in the area would work according to district performance contracts. She explained that unlike previously, when donors concentrated on training, now they are actively involved in developmental programmes-which calls for close cooperation with the leaders. She was speaking to The New Times after a meeting with members of the Forum of NGOs in the Eastern Province, held at Amizero Vocational training centre last week. The meeting aimed at harmonising programmes run by district’s development partners and finding ways they can fit them in performance contracts. Mukantabana said: “The meeting was to find out what NGOs have to do, basing on the programmes of the districts. So, NGOs will be holding meetings with district leaders for evaluation and monitoring purposes.” She asked the forum to merge similar projects to avoid duplicating services. After the meeting, there were several public lectures about HIV/AIDS campaign during which NGOs were asked to indicate their areas of intervention through the districts’ Joint Action Forum. Aimable Mwananawe, the chairman of the forum of NGOs, reaffirmed their commitment to the Aids fight in the country. Ends