EASTERN PROVINCE NYAGATARE — Rwandans should improve their economic status in order to realize total liberation, the district Mayor has said. Robert Kashemeza made the remarks last week while presiding over Nyagatare district Liberation Day celebrations at Kabuga play ground. “If we managed to liberate ourselves from bad governance, why not liberate ourselves from the bondage of poverty? I am sure we can eradicate poverty if we put it in our family’s performance contracts.” He urged residents to use their local leaders to get all government poverty eradication programmes extended to their localities. “You have qualified leaders; most of them are university graduates, why don’t you use them to seek knowledge that can help you to fight poverty in your area?” Kashemeza advised residents to shun detractors who move around telling them not to follow government policies. “We know there are some people moving in the sectors of Mukama, Gatunda and Karama urging residents not to follow the RPF policies but you have to ignore them because these are FDLR members who want us to remain in poverty,” Kashemeza told the residents. “We have got reports that some people have been tricked to slaughter their heifers got under One Cow-One family, by people who want to undermine the government’s poverty eradication programme, can you imagine that,” the Mayor said, urging residents to report such people to local leaders. Meanwhile, MP Coney Bwiza, who attended separate Liberation Day celebrations at Blue sky Hotel, also urged Nyagatare residents to work with government leaders to fight poverty, illiteracy and other challenges undermining government’s poverty eradication campaign. “We have to be liberated economically, socially and politically. We have to be courageous and fight hard to liberate ourselves from poverty, illiteracy, ignorance, laziness and dependence on developed countries,” Bwiza said. “If we managed to liberate ourselves from bad regimes through gun battles, why not free ourselves from these factors where we can use our brains and powers given by God. Iam sure everything is possible if it’s put into consideration,” she added. She said residents should play an active role in development in stead of leaving it on their leaders. “We need to share our ideas and efforts if our country is to have rapid economic development. Ends
