KIGALI - The implementation of this fiscal year’s Imihigo (performance contracts) is well on track, four months into the process.

This was observed by both the officials of the Ministry of Local Government and Social Affars, and provincial governors and Kigali City mayor, on Thursday, during a meeting aimed at assessing the achievements in the first quarter of the current fiscal year.

Despite some hitches such as delays occasioned by tendering procedures, overall, the officials painted a positive picture, pointing at the progress that has already been made.

The Local Government Minister, James Musoni, expressed optimism that the 2011/12 Imihigo would achieve their set targets.

Reports highlight success in many programmes in financial, justice and social areas like Girinka, Vision 2020 Umurenge Project (VUP), infrastructure development, land registration and resolving citizens’ complaints.

Musoni challenged the governors to focus on areas that are still lacking as they focused on improving the livelihood of the public.

Alphonse Munyentwari, the Governor of the Southern Province said the challenges faced during Imihigo implementation will be overcome.

"Most often, we issue out tenders but spend many months waiting for bids. The contracted parties thus start implementing the activities late, which delays our progress,” said Munyentwari.

He however noted that the execution of this year’s tenders has improved, compared to previous years.

"We embarked on strategies to avoid delays, like having our procurement plans in time, unlike the 2007’s when everything would be done after getting the money,” he said.

Other challenges named by the governors included the low response to the new premiums of the health insurance scheme, Mutuelle de Sante, where only 34 percent of the population had paid for them.

 "The activities that have been achieved so far and those on track, account for about 50 percent of what we target, yet we are in the first quarter. This shows that we can achieve 100 percent this year.”

He also hailed programmes like the 12-year basic education where most of the classrooms would be in use by January 2012.

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