Governor urges grassroots leaders to solve citizen’s problems

 

The Governor of the Eastern Province Odette Uwamariya has been on a tour of a number of districts trying to tackle standing issues among communities, since taking over from Dr Aisa Kirabo Kacyira a few months ago.

The Governor met local of Nyarubuye, Mpanga, Nasho and Mushikiri sectors in Kirehe district.

Families in Kirehe District are rocked in wrangles related to inheritance of property that often escalate into violence, largely due to repeated failure by grassroots to enforce court decisions.

According to area residents, family issues are often ignored, as rivalries emanating mainly from inheritance, intensify among communities. Local residents took the opportunity and presented their pending issues to the Governor because their grassroots leaders were not able to offer concrete solutions.

Governor Uwamariya challenged local leaders to always handle conflicts before they escalate.

She, however, warned residents to avoid creating unnecessary conflicts.

“I know there is reluctance from grassroots leaders…it explains why I have been going district by district to help find some solutions to some of the pending issues.

“There are individuals I want to warn, particularly those who have made it a lifestyle to embroil themselves in conflicts…a court decision is binding, no one should think of challenging it,” she cautioned.

Kirehe District Mayor Protais Murayire urged residents to be the first problem solvers before they are forwarded to high levels of administration or leadership. “You should be the pillar to solve problems with leaders of the Sectors before coming to the district or the province because there cannot be good governance if there is injustice to any individual. If there are failures at your level, then we can help each other to find solutions. “He explained

Many land cases that courts resolved take long to be implemented in most rural communities.

Local watchdog, Transparency Rwanda, last year slammed local leaders, who often serve as court bailiffs, for frustrating the implementation of court orders.