Grassroots leaders should be able to solve local problems - Musoni

KIGALI - The Minister of Local Government, James Musoni, has revealed that plans are underway to facilitate grassroots leaders to have the capacity to address the population’s problems rather than wait for top level government intervention.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010
REVEALED; James Musoni (File photo)

KIGALI - The Minister of Local Government, James Musoni, has revealed that plans are underway to facilitate grassroots leaders to have the capacity to address the population’s problems rather than wait for top level government intervention.

Speaking to The New Times, Minister Musoni said that several civic education programmes have been put in place to sensitize the population on what they should expect from their local leaders.

"We will invest a lot of effort in civic education to create awareness so that the population can have confidence in local tribunals,” he said.

He added that it will help reduce complaints to the President during his tours to interact with the population. 
According to Musoni, basic training will be given to village and sector leaders in order to build the capacity from the grassroots levels, to foster confidence and encourage the leaders to exercise their duties diligently. 

According to Musoni, various approaches have been put in place.
He further urged district authorities, including mayors and directors of good governance, to assess how grassroots officials solve the problems affecting their residents.

The Minister’s call comes barely a week after President, Paul Kagame, called on local government leaders to step up their efforts to solve the population’s problems.

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