Devise new ways to combat graft – PM

New strategies are required to fight corruption, Prime Minister, Dr Pierre Damien Habumuremyi, said yesterday at the opening of a one-day meeting on the role of parliament and their partners in fighting the graft. The Premier, however, stressed that he had not overlooked the great strides the country has taken to combat corruption, saying he “very much” appreciates efforts by both government and the civil society.Habumuremyi reminded the session that Rwanda is ranked fourth least corrupt African country by, the World Bank.He, however, pinpointed a few weak spots that need thorough investigations and ironing out, especially about the issue of embezzlement of public funds and improper handling of tendering processes. “This is seen both in the public service and private sector. It therefore means that we must continue to jointly find new strategies and cooperative effort based on the harmonisation of effort by all who are represented in this meeting.” The Premier requested Parliament to up the momentum in its drive against the vice, either through pertinent legislation or sensitising the population.In the World Bank report, Rwanda was ranked forth after after Mauritius Cape Verde, and Botswana , in that orderin combating corruption.Senate President Dr. Jean Damascene Ntawukuliryayo, highlighted a few other areas such as service delivery insisting they must improve, stressing that everything should be done openly and promptly to eliminate any form of unfairness.”.“If someone is looking for a service, he or she is entitled to and does not get it, there comes a point when people think they can give whatever they could be asked for, so as to get it. If it happened that way, it would be taking a course contradictory to what our leadership has vowed to do.“We must stand up and emphasise this. It is clearly important that whatever service people seek,, they should get it without any delays.”The session is organised by African Parliamentarians’ network against corruption (APNAC). The body is working to strengthen capacity to fight corruption and promote good governance, through sharing of information, experience and lessons learnt as well as strengthening systems of accountability, transparency and public participation in the whole governance process.Mayors attending the session hope to draw fresh lessons to boost their anti-corruption drive.Bugesera’s Louis Rwagaju, told The New Times that: “We are very much involved in fighting corruption and we are committed. This meeting, hopefully, will give us a lesson or two on how to do things better. It is going to be helpful in terms of doing self-evaluation so as to improve further.”

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Devise new ways to combat graft – PM