Governance Month to address public concerns

The Minister of Local Government, James Musoni, has said that the Governance Month will tackle all the matters and complaints raised by ordinary citizens in their respective communities.

Friday, January 06, 2012
Local Government Minister James Musoni (L), and the CEO of Rwanda Governance Board, Prof. Anastase Shyaka, consult at a news conference yesterday. The New Times / John Mbanda.

The Minister of Local Government, James Musoni, has said that the Governance Month will tackle all the matters and complaints raised by ordinary citizens in their respective communities.

He made the remarks yesterday while addressing journalists about the target audience, opportunities, objectives, activities and the outcomes of the Governance Month.

The programme that kicked off on December 13, assesses and strengthens good governance through service delivery and demands of ordinary citizens that need further improvement.

"This month provides a platform where leaders and citizens interact and collectively search for solutions to challenges they face in their daily activities,” he asserted.

Musoni said that whenever the Head of State visits several areas of the country, citizens always raise many complaints regarding their social affairs, disclosing that the exercise will look into such concerns and find possible solutions.

The Minister added that during the period, much emphasis will be put on raising awareness among citizens on other key governance related issues such as transparency and accountability, anti-corruption mechanisms, savings culture, among others.

According to Prof. Anastase Shyaka, the Chief Executive Officer Rwanda Governance Board (RGB), the Governance Month will streamline the effectiveness of governance systems.

"The month facilitates citizens and leaders to network and share ideas through RGB’s innovative strategies such as Mobile School of Governance (MSG) and Governance Clinic/ Screening,” he noted.

"Besides being problem-solving, the two are home-grown good governance strategies aimed at consolidating achieved successes and transform identified challenges into future opportunities.”

Shyaka mentioned that his institution would provide advisory services in areas identified with slow progress in good governance.

frank.kanyesigye@newtimes.co.rw