The government of Rwanda has shown its commitment in implementing the set goals in the Economic Development poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS 2008-2012). The government is striving to achieve higher program performance, and consequently higher social and economic development. Recently the ministry of finance and economic planning released a report on economic development and poverty reduction strategy (EDPRS) implementation report for 2009 that outlines key achievements realized in the implementation of performance in the EDPRS programmes. The achievements are summarized in the thrusts namely, Economic development, Governance and Justice and Social welfare. Within each strategic objective there are a number of strategic outcomes, together with associated indicators and targets being monitored at national level and policy actions required to achieve them. The report released by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning reviews progress against actions in the EDPRS programmes. The city of Kigali has undergone a gradual transformation both in size and importance through the implementation of its performance contracts, Kigali City contributes towards the socio-economic well-being of the country and thus contributing to the overarching national objectives and targets as embed in the EDPRS and the Vision 2020. Economic development Housing and land use management End 2008 saw Kigali City with a city master plan that guided the city in its urban development and physical plans for few identified areas covering a total area of 288ha. The first half of 2009 was pre- occupied with communicating the master plan to all stakeholders and developing detailed physical plans for Nyarugenge districts. The Final report was published in October 2009/2010. Physical plans for 470 ha of residential area with 35,000 plots were developed (Rugarama 1,023, Kagarama 360, Masaka 386, Murama 2,000 and Kagugu 2,000 plots) and 463 ha of commercial sites were also developed including 60 ha in Rebero and 53ha in Kimihurura and the Central Business District. In a bid to promote government policy on settlement, the City has identified a total of 40 sites to develop into settlements commonly known as “Imidugudu” and District performance is as follows; Infrastructural development Infrastructure development in Kigali City was given a high priority in the first half of 2009/2010. The City spent over FRW 22 billion in the construction of several infrastructural facilities in the City. The table below shows expenditure per type of infrastructure. Financial resource mobilization From July to December 2009, all Districts in Kigali City mobilized Frw 2,540,989,797 from their domestic revenue sources. 30% of this money, equivalent to Frw 850,979,540 was transferred to Kigali City Council as provided by the law. The city has set a new system of taxation by using ICT and Banks. Development of Agriculture and Livestock Kigali City developed Urban and Peri Urban Agriculture strategic plan and was adopted by both the City Council and Ministry of Local Government as provided by law. This strategic plan spells out the measure and strategies to increase production and add value to the agricultural produce in Kigali City so as to ensure food security and production for export. In a bid to ensure efficient land utilization for both settlement and agricultural purposes, Kigali City has embarked to land consolidation measures. In the first six months of 2009, a total of 658.61ha of land has been consolidated in all Districts, with 312ha, 175.6ha, 171.01ha for Gasabo, Nyarugenge and Kicukiro respectively. Under one cow one family program, a total of 279 cows were distributed to families in Kigali City, where Nyarugenge district alone distributed 152 cows, Gasabo 67 and Kicukiro 60 in the 2nd half of 2009. Job creation A total of 1,800 people have benefited from Vision 2020 Umurenge program in Kigali City where Kicukiro has provided 600 jobs in public works, Gasabo 600 and Nyarugenge 600. In the direct support component, Kicukiro provides for 299 people, Nyarugenge 201 and Gasabo 149. These programs have had a direct impact in improving peoples’ livelihoods. However, the City hardly takes stock of jobs created in other sectors such as construction, service and commercial sectors. Currently experts are finishing the study of a modern market of agriculture products in Kicukiro districts. Good Governance and Justice Kigali City values resident’s participation in community work “Umuganda”, the average participation level for Kigali City residents was estimated at 78% with the total value of Umuganda activities estimated at Frw 612,861,433 for the 2nd half of 2009. Provision of social services Social service provision in Kigali City is central to the wellbeing of the people. Its in this regard that the city puts much emphasis is addressing issues to do with Health, Education, and meeting the needs of the vulnerable groups. In the second half of 2009, all Districts (Gasabo, Kicukiro and Nyarugenge) about 120 class rooms were constructed for Nine Basic Education using funds mobilized from the local people living in the respective districts. Access to health services in Kigali has improved, 92,4% of Gasabo District population have access to health Insurance, in Nyarugenge district 92,7% of the population has got health insurance and in Kicukiro, 80,4% of its population is in “Mutuelle” health insurance. 43% of women practice modern family planning methods in Gasabo district, 15.6% in Kicukiro and 33.8% in Nyarugenge. 41,167 people undertook Voluntary HIV tests during the course of the first half of 2009 in Kigali City where Kicukiro tested 19,278, Gasabo 12,723 and Nyarugenge 9,166 people. Nyarugenge had 83, 5% of assisted birth, Kicukiro 44, 2% and Gasabo 62, 2% in the 2nd half of 2009. Conclusion Kigali city is looking set to conquer its part of the world, fast demonstrating that a country’s misfortunes can be used as the entry point for a critical re-engineering process that considers the way business is done in the entire country. The city leadership has put more efforts to investment in infrastructure, productive capacity, and people coupled with empowering the private sector with the skills, infrastructure, and management capacity to enable it to flourish. Ends
