The Minister for Local Government, Francis Kaboneka, has cautioned local leaders against putting their personal or other interests above those of the people they are meant to serve. The minister said this on Wednesday during a visit to Ngororero District. The residents of Muhanda Sector complained about the area executive secretary, Innocent Mbanjimbere, and a one Marie Chantal Nyiramahano, the executive secretary of Bugarura cell during a meeting with the minister. The duo was accused of poor service delivery with Mbanjimbere also accused of beating up residents. “Good governance means approaching people, listening to them and sitting down with them to devise solutions to the problems they face and how they can develop their community in general, starting with their families,” the minister said. Vincent Hitimana, a resident of Bugarura Cell in Muhanda Sector, claimed that, on Tuesday, last week, he was severely beaten up by Mbanjimbere and that his arm fractured in the process. Concerning Nyiramahano, Eustache Mbayiha, a village leader accused her of having received a bribe of Rwf60,000 to give a cow under Gir’Inka programme to a non-deserving recipient. Nyiramahano was also accused of being in constant conflict with her neighbour over disputed land demarcations. The minister, however, said that despite the gravity of the accusations, due process will be followed in determining the way forward. He said they will work with the district to investigate the claims and where necessary take appropriate action. In another case, a mother from Masha Cell in Muhanda Sector, said her child was defiled at 2 years of age, but, she is now aged nine and still waiting for justice. The mother said the culprit was arrested and detained but was later released under unclear circumstances, a case that Kaboneka asked Police to follow up. Other issues that came up include; malpractices in distribution of Gir’Inka cows, delayed expropriation of residents over key infrastructure projects, with some people saying they had not been paid for over four years, among other issues. Kaboneka noted that the ministry had taken measures to solve all the raised issues. Speaking to The New Times, residents welcomed the approach of such assemblies, saying it will keep the local leaders in check. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
