Leaders to involve residents in development projects

SOUTHERN PROVINCE MUHANGA — Local leaders in the Muhanga district have resolved to involve residents in the planning and implementation of development projects in order to ensure their sustainability. The leaders made the resolution early this week during a workshop to design development strategies in line with the government’s decentralisation programme. The three-day workshop sponsored by IntraHealth/Twubakane- a USAID sponsored decentralisation and health programme in Rwanda, was held at St. André-Kabgayi. Addressing participants, Charles Kayobotse, IntraHealth/Twubakane area coordinator, said local leaders need to seek views of area residents on development projects. “The workshop is important and timely to help the leaders make action plans since the plans are now to be formulated from sector level with the participation of residents,” he said. At the workshop, participants were trained on participatory approaches in planning and implementation, analysis of set development goals and on how to address specific sector problems. “This responds to the problem that sectors have previously had especially in designing action plans and implementing the set district development plans,” said Jacques Rutsinga, the vice Mayor in charge of economic affairs. The participants observed that implementing government development programmes and the proper allocation of public funds requires such training. They appealed for authorities to make the training an annual event. Ends