“THERE IS NO TOLERANCE TO BAD LEADERS”- MINISTER JAMES MUSONI

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"We want innovative and transformational leaders, working hard towards community development. The Government won't tolerate selfish and bad leaders, and there will be no room for bad leadership", Minister James MUSONI said.

The remarks were made during the Local Government Innovation day that was held at Kigali Serena Hotels, on June 8, 2012, under the auspices of RALGA (Rwandese Association of Local Government Authorities) in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government (MINALOC).

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

Minister James MUSONI disclosed that; "Within only 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”.

The Minister hastened to add 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.

The Secretary General of RALGA, Mr Theogene KARAKE introduced the delegates who came from different countries such Tanzania,Kenya and South Africa.

The award ceremony followed a competition process which attracted all the thirty (30) districts filing for competition. However, only ten qualified for final assessment, and the top five were awarded. The ten districts that qualified for final assessment were Huye, Gasabo, Nyabihu, Rutsiro, Kayonza, Rulindo, Gakenke, Nyamasheke, Nyanza, Muhanga, whereas the top five were Huye, Gasabo, Nyabihu, Rutsiro and Kayonza districts.

In addition to certificates of participation which were given to all the districts that filed for competition, winning districts received cheques worth up to 7.5M RwF going to the best performer.

The selection team was composed of members coming from various business, trade and investments as well as economic development oriented institutions such MINAGRI, RCA, PSF, RDB, RGB and MINICOM, among others.

The award ceremony was chaired by the Minister of Local Government, Honorable James MUSONI, who was assisted by the RALGA Chairperson, Mayor Justus KANGWAGYE.

Basic principles guided the competition process including, but not limited to transparency, accountability, citizen participation, socioeconomic impact, and the sustainability of the project. All the 30 districts were awarded with Certificates of participation.

The Minister of Local Government who spoke as guest of honour congratulated RALGA for having organized the competition. He welcomed the delegates from foreign countries, and he extended his welcome to the new mayor of Ngoma, Mr NAMBAJE Aphrodis.

The Minister congratulated in a special way the top winners for their innovation skills which is a sign of good leadership. He noted that LED requires innovation based on good governance principles and practices.

“It requires an enabling environment that promotes entrepreneurship development, hence enhancing sustainable development”, Minister MUSONI asserted, urging all the districts to be prepared for future competitions and to be focused and tactful in selecting right innovations.

He commended RALGA for their 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 wealth achievements. That is a clear indicator of economic development so far achieved", the Minister noted.

Huye was awarded for having mobilized local business community members who set up a modern market worth 1.5 billion RwF, 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 over 3.5 billion RwF in the same area.

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