Minister Musoni warns non performing local leaders

Minister James Musoni in a group photo with district Mayors

The Minister of Local Government Jamers Musoni has said that the country needs innovative and transformational leaders, working hard towards community development.

Musoni made the remarks during the Local Government Innovation day that was held over the weekend under the auspices of RALGA (Rwandese Association of Local Government Authorities).

Muson said: “Government won’t tolerate selfish and bad leaders, and there will be no room for bad leadership.”

This year’s local government innovation day’s objective focused on local economic development (LED).

The minister noted that in a period of one year, two of the 30 mayors have resigned and 15 sector executive secretaries have been sacked for poor performance and bad leadership.

“The Government is committed to promoting values and good governance principles. Whoever leader fails to comply with them will absolutely be dealt with accordingly,” stressed Musoni.

The Minister reminded that the Government has declared zero tolerance to bad leadership. He requested RALGA to play a key role in ensuring smooth working environment especially between councils and executive committee members for better positioning and service delivery.

At the innovation day, RALGA also held an awarding ceremony for the best district in the projects in the areas of transparency, accountability, citizen participation, socioeconomic impact, and the sustainability of the project.

In addition to certificates of participation which were given to all the districts that filed for competition, winning districts received cheques worth up to Rwf7.5 million.

Musoni congratulated RALGA for having organized the competition. He commended it for its contribution towards enhancing good governance and socioeconomic transformation.

“Few years ago, people were presenting lapin and chickens for competitions, and now we are experiencing billions in wealth achievements. That is a clear indicator of economic development so far achieved,” he said

Huye district which was the first overall winner was awarded for having mobilized local business community members who set up a modern market worth Rwf1.5 billion whereas Gasabo was awarded for having transformed a disorganized handcraft community –Agakinjiro in Gisozi sector- into a big investment company, which is currently developing a modern business infrastructure worth about Rwf3.5 billion in the same area.