SOUTHERN PROVINCE RUHANGO — the mayor of Ruhango district has asked leaders and residents to work hard in order to attain growth and development in 2009. Céléstin Twagirumukiza made the remarks during the evaluation of 2008/09 district performance contracts held at the district cultural center on December 31. Twagirumukiza said that the potential of the district needs to be fully exploited and this year should be focused on empowering residents-economically and socially through poverty reduction strategies. District officials made various presentations indicating some of the achievements attained in 2008 performance contracts, which include: Improved education environment (74 new classrooms), tapping new water sources (450m³/day), construction of a modern market, roads and feeder paths, 406 houses for the needy and 97.5% election participation. Farmers acquired over Rwf. 5.4billions from cassava growth and recorded increased growth in 68 cooperatives-with over Rwf.193m savings, and the district collected taxes amounting to over Rwf.201m compared Rwf.142.6m in 2007. In 2009 performance contracts strategies will be focused on improvement in settlement planning, land transformation and increased construction of modern amenities, access to education, health and Information technology; among others. The district also plans to collect over Rwf.133 from taxation between January-June and improve on its service provision by 100% according to presenters. While sector officials said that 2009 will be inclined to empowering residents and grass-root leaders, mobilization and sensitizing residents to increase domestic product, the fight against the existing genocide ideology, completion of Gacaca cases and other aspects of social transformation will form part of this planned programs. Ends
