When you are advancing a cause, you should not front your weakness but rather sacrifice yourself, be patient and thorough in whatever you do, President Kagame has said.
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The Head of State was addressing over 2000 cell executive secretaries on March 28 at Intare Conference Arena as he presided over the closing ceremony of a month-long civic education programme (Itorero).
The meeting was also part of the "Meet the President” series where the President holds conversations with various categories of Rwandans.
Kagame urged leaders to work together to deliver better and faster on the goals set for the development of the country. He told them that efficiency requires patience. "Patience is not despair,” he said.
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He reminded the officials to pick lessons from the mistakes that have been made in the past and not only ensure that they are not repeated but advised them to capitalise on them to do better in line with the current evolving times.
"When children drop out of school, who should be held accountable? When there are malnourished children who should be held accountable? How are you facilitating farmers and the business people to make profits? You have the answers to these questions and you are responsible for not only suggesting solutions but also seeing them through,” Kagame said.
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Much of what the event concentrated on was about human security and well as transparency in delivering services. The President said, "the moment you see someone erring and you keep quiet about it, you automatically become an accomplice.”
Among the governance issues that the president tabled included leaders who do not communicate with each other, saying that the moment decision-makers are not talking, there is a higher chance that nothing is going to be achieved.
Collapse of Urukumbuzi Estate
Recently, social media was awash with videos of a mother asking the government for help, after buying a house from Jean Nsabimana, the proprietor of Urukumbuzi Estate in Kinyinya. The woman’s house had collapsed following a heavy downpour.
In a loud voice, the woman is heard saying: "Look at how they built the house. The one above falls to the one below. What would have happened if our children were in the house sleeping? How does one build like this?”
Kagame brought up the issue and questioned officials on how Nsabimana managed to put up a substandard estate until completion without supervision.
The Minister of Infrastructure Ernest Nsabimana revealed that there is a report that was compiled during the construction that showed substandard materials were being used but nothing was done about it.
"Similar issues happen over and over again yet you don’t learn from past mistakes. You don’t have to wait for a disaster to spark for you to identify a mistake and correct it,” the President said.
During the event, Claudine Nyiramana from Gisagara District asked Kagame, "We have seen you working tirelessly and delivering over the years, what inspires you and what drives you?” Kagame responded: "It’s simple. Keep trying.”
Aline Mutimukeye from Muhanga District requested the harmonization of salaries.
"A cell executive secretary in Kigali City earns Rwf300,000 while those out of Kigali earns Rwf80,000. We request that the issue be looked into,” she said.
The President said the government will look into the matter and come up with an appropriate response.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister, Edouard Ngirente and the Minister of ICT Paul Ingabire Musoni announced that cell offices will be connected to a much higher speed internet which made the president express his wish to also increase the performance of local leaders, saying that an increase in salaries, staff and internet should be reflected in the performance of local leaders.