Kicukiro emerges best District

KICUKIRO District emerged top performer of the year 2011/2012 in implementing performance contracts (Imihigo), with a 95.5 percent score.Imihigo is a homegrown initiative aimed at facilitating development through enhancing accountability of public officials in various capacities. The second district was Kamonyi with 95.1 percent, Bugesera District came third with 94 percent, while the least performer was Rutsiro, albeit with 82.3 percent.The top three districts walked away with trophiesThe central and local government leaders yesterday set and signed new contracts for the year 2012/2013, to consolidate what was not achieved during the previous year.The overall performance of Imihigo implementation was outstanding as the average performance of all the 30 districts was over 80 percent.Announcing the previous year’s achievements, Prime Minister Pierre Damien Habumuremyi, said the districts continued to perform well in the implementation of Imihigo which he said was a sign of responsible leadership.The event that coincided with the launch of Agaciro Development Fund, was graced by President Paul Kagame with whom all leaders signed the next contracts.Habumuremyi presented a brief account of the evaluation of the 2011/2012 performance contracts including various levels of administration and, and for the first time, Rwanda’s diplomatic missions abroad.“All the institutions were evaluated and the performance was impressive compared to previous years,” he said.He stated that embassies delivered 72 percent of targets they set for themselves last year; the first time they signed performance contracts.Performance contracts focus on the domains of economic development, social welfare and good governance which are part of the country’s home-grown solutions to develop the country into a middle income one.Habumuremyi highlighted the targets for the 2012/2013 and urged all those responsible for effective implementation to make it a success.Among other set targets, remittances from Rwandan Diaspora to increase by 15 percent from $166 million to $190.9 million, Tourism revenues from $252 million generated last year to $276 million.Other targets include among others construction and rehabilitations of roads all over the country, generation of electricity will see 52 megawatts added to the already existing and over 90,000 homes will be connected to electricity.James Musoni, the Minister of Local Government, said the performance contracts at the local level have so far registered tremendous achievements.“We thank all the people involved in last year’s performance contracts. This has contributed a lot to our country’s development,” he stated.Musoni highlighted the set targets for 2012/2013 Imihigo in the areas of health, agriculture, good governance, and credit savings among others.Since 2006, leaders sign performance contracts with the Head of State as a sign of commitment to fast-track the country’s socio-economic transformation.Speaking at the same event, Louise Mushikiwabo, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, highlighted the performance contracts of the 24 Rwandan missions all over the world.“Our embassies signed performance contracts last year and we have realised that they have put in a lot of efforts to achieve the targets they set,” she noted.Mushikiwabo pointed out that some missions like those in India, Kenya, Japan, Korea and Nigeria managed to bring in foreign investors.“All our embassies continue to promote our country abroad and to bring investments and enhance Rwanda’s image.” Four governors along with the Mayor of Kigali City yesterday presented, before President Kagame, last year’s performance contracts of districts within their jurisdictions and signed new ones.

National

Kicukiro emerges best District