Local gov’t officials meet over performance contracts

Local leaders drawn from all the provinces and the City of Kigali, yesterday, met to assess progress in the implementation of performance contracts, commonly known as “Imihigo”. The two-day forum aimed at mapping ways to accelerate development in local governments, esspecially the evaluation of the 2010/2011 performance contracts and set priorities and targets during the 2011/2012 fiscal year. Speaking at the meeting, the Minister of Local Government, Minister James Musoni, said that performance contracts have significantly contributed to national development and the country’s socio-economic transformation. “Government is pleased with what Rwandans have achieved. We want local leaders to be fully equipped with tools for proper, qualitative, quantitative and substantive performance contracts that will help Rwandans achieve the Vision 2020 targets, “he noted. Musoni urged local government leaders to be more responsive to the needs of the population and be more results-oriented in their planning of day-to-day activities. He challenged them to set specific ambitious, achievable and time-bound goals. The meeting brought together provincial governors, district mayors and executive secretaries among others. At the meeting, participants will extensively discuss social sector development with a focus on organised rural settlements popularly known as “imidugudu”, eradication of grass-thatched houses, community health insurance scheme, “mutuelle de sante” and the Vision 2020 Umurenge program (VUP). Special emphasis will also be put on empowering people with special needs including Genocide survivors, historically marginalised groups and people with disabilities. Participants will also deliberate on the outcome of the evaluation of the 2010/2011 performance contracts including best practices, weakness, challenges and opportunities, and the way forward for better planning and setting of appropriate targets. The meeting will also highlight issues such as food security assessment, gender and family planning programs, afforestation and road maintenance, among others. Ends

National

Local gov’t officials meet over performance contracts