EASTERN PROVINCE

KAYONZA — Thenoste Mutsindashyaka who was until recently the Governor of the Eastern Province has officially handed over office to his successor Dr. Ephraim Kabaija.

At the hand over yesterday Mutsindashyaka told Kabaija, "We have done a lot to develop the Eastern Province by implementing government programmes. We therefore request you to maintain the lead.”

Mutsindashyaka was recently appointed the new State Minister for Primary and Secondary Education.

The ceremony held at AVEGA in Rwamagana was presided over by the minister of Local Government, Protais Musoni and attended by scores of residents.

The minister asked the newly appointed governor to make a close follow up on a number of issues including, the land re-distribution exercise, supporting Radio Izuba in order to widen its coverage.

He also asked him to closely watch the construction of the Eastern Province headquarters and to support the Eastern Province Investment Cooperation.

He asked his successor to support the Fish Industry, ensure the establishment of the role model village, setting up Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village, the renovation of Rwamagana Hospital and setting up ICT-city at Lake Mugesera among other things.

In his acceptance speech, Dr. Kabaija called on his subordinates to be transparence at work if they wish work with him in developing the province.

"I look forward for transparence in whatever we do. Transparence means openness in work,” Dr. Kabaija said.

"I promise to do everything possible to cooperate with you in order to attain significant development in the province,” he added. He stressed that sacrifice would be needed from all stakeholders in order register significant development.

"We need sacrifice. There can’t be development without sacrifice. It is like investment, one first makes savings and later makes investments which involves risks. Whatsoever, the aim remains to make profit. Let us aim at obtaining higher profits from what ever we invest in,” Dr. Kabaija told the Provincial officials.

Kabaija further appealed to officials and residents to improve on their hygiene and on their feeding habits, saying good health is core for social-economic prosperity. He urged residents on love, unity and joint planning among other things.

Minister Musoni called for unity and cooperation between lower administrative levels and the central. He urged leaders to know where they derive their mandate and know what their offices entail them to do.

Musoni called on leaders to put emphasis on government developmental pillars of good governance, justice, economic development and social development.

"Ministers, governors, and local leaders are only delegates because they work under the President of the Republic [Paul Kagame] who was elected by the Rwandans under the country’s constitution,” Minister Musoni said.

The Minister urged local officials, army, police and all other government organs to feel ownership of government programmes for development to take place.

He urged leaders to enlighten residents on the need to change their mentality and become innovative rather than waiting for instructions from top. 

Ends