MUHANGA - Prime Minister Bernard Makuza has urged leaders of the Southern Province to put more effort in improving areas that facilitate the country’s growth and development.

The Premier made the call yesterday while addressing various leaders during the assessment and evaluation of performance contracts, at an event held at Cite Mbare Centre, in Shyogwe Sector.

He singled out land consolidation, environmental protection and eliminating grass-thatched houses as the areas that need urgent attention.

Makuza praised the districts for implementing government programs, including increased agricultural production, building new classrooms, health insurance, and family planning; but insisted that more needs to be done to catch up with other provinces.

"There is still need for increased efforts to mobilize residents to implement these programs,” he said, urging the leaders to make good use of the Works for Community Interest (TIG) programme.

Makuza also reminded the leaders to always speak the truth, and use their positions appropriately to transform the livelihoods of residents in line with Vision 2020.

The evaluations saw Gisagara, Kamonyi, and Nyamagabe districts tie at the first position with 86 percent, in implementing performance contracts while Huye district came last.

Muhanga and Nyaruguru also shared the fourth position, while Nyanza and Ruhango tied in the 6th position.

The Governor of the Southern Province, Fidele Ndayisaba, stated that the competition on performance contracts implementation was tight, adding that most districts improved their customer care services.

He, however, challenged the leaders to be more innovative in good governance and economic development.

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