Firm hand appropriate for errant NGOs

The recent public revelation by the Immigration Office of plans to crackdown on Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) without requisite requirements to operate in the country should be enforced without further delay. We have seen many of these organisations coming in the country under the guise of providing assistance to the needy but end up using the funds for their own benefit at the expense of those people in need. In this regard Claudine Umulisa who is in charge of the nationality and NGOs department said that six NGOs were facing closure for operating in the country illegally. Our stand is that this should be a routine operation to expose such hoax organisations. With government’s resolve to make state-governed institutions accountable to the people through signing performance contracts commonly known as Imihigo, the same should be adopted for the NGOs. They should, on a routine basis, make public what they have done basing on what they were mandated to do and stern measures should be taken for those found not to have fulfilled their obligations as a way of promoting accountability in this specific area. It is one thing that most of these NGOs see themselves as champions of accountability and good governance especially where government operations are concerned, and yet they in most instances do not put into practice the same principles. Take the issue of Italia Solidale now before the Supreme Court, they have failed to account for Rwf 3 billion meant for orphans. In the name of the poor many, drive fancy cars, have children in expensive private schools, living some of the most lavish lifestyles. We report always on the deplorable living conditions that Congolese refugees have to endure. Yet those who claim to have their interests at heart will drive their fancy four wheel drives to their camps throw some alms at them, write a report on a job well done, and of on holiday they go. The cycle of poverty and desperation continues. Time government intervened! Ends

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Firm hand appropriate for errant NGOs