Officials call on NGOs to focus on rural areas

MUHANGA - officials of Muhanga Joint Action District Forum (JADF) have called on both local and international organizations to cross the threshold of the activities into rural areas. Etienne Ndagijimana, JADF vice-chairman, said that most social, economic and judicial activities conducted in the area have been focused around town centres. Ndagijimana made the remarks during the quarterly JADF meeting held at the cultural centre in Nyamabuye Sector, on Thursday. The meeting brought together various local and international organizations, cooperatives, and business enterprises. “It’s very clear that there are NGOs that have concentrated their activities in the urban areas, which leaves a big gap in between the rural and urban areas,” Ndagijimana said. The meeting agreed that all JADF member organizations should give priority to rural development and new NGOs seeking to launch activities in Muhanga, will be mandated to focus on the rural areas. Among the key issues discussed was the need for annual financial contributions by NGOs to the JADF forum, so as to boost activities of the forum and its efforts to consolidate activities of development partners. JADF members requested for increased enrolment and participation of both private and public institutions, businesses and organization in the area. “The forum needs the participation of all organs, including the district, so as to lease our activities and impact on the social and economic welfare of residents,” Clarisse Munezero, an official of Advocates without Borders (ASF), said. Ends