NYANZA - The Governor of the Southern Province, Fidel Ndayisaba, has urged residents of Kibilizi sector, Nyanza district, to work hard in order to eliminate poverty and improve their social welfare.

Ndayisaba made the call on Friday while speaking at a function to mark Patriotism Day. The day which is celebrated on October 1 marks the launch of the Liberation war 20 years ago.

He told residents that following the end of the liberation war, residents have to win the struggle against poverty which he said is the main challenge to the well-being of all Rwandans.

"It required firearms to get rid of the oppressing regime,” he said. "But today, the struggle is far from over, you have to fight against poverty in order to reach the projected development.”

Ndayisaba further called upon residents to help vulnerable people improve their social welfare, adding that doing so is a manifestation of patriotism.

"You have to think about your contribution to the development of the society, ask what you can do to help your neighbour grow economically,” he told the crowd. "This requires you to be patriotic.”

As part of the celebrations, residents together with local leaders prepared three hectares of land for maize planting in the consolidated Rubogobogo marshland.

Governor Ndayisaba urged residents to embrace national development initiatives, including community work commonly known as ‘Umuganda.’

Ends