The Chairperson of the Rwanda Association of the Local Government Authorities RALGA, Justus Kangwagye told the Isango Star that the quality services in the local administration has improved since 2003. He however added that more is still needed to be done as to reach the ideal stage.
The debate was also attended by Umwali Letitia from the RDB, Nshutirabana Ildephonse from Rwanda Appreciation Services( an NGO) and Umuhire Valentin, a journalist from the Pax Press.
The core issues discussed, related to the recent news according which local government officials declined their efforts in delivering quality services as , for instance, the public notary of the Gasabo district was not in his office for six months ,while inhabits needed his services.
Mr Kangwagye said that the absence of the Gasabo Notary should not negatively impact on the services delivery as another notary from another neighboring district might have been able to assume the interim.
He did not commented much about the Gasabo affairs as he is in charge of Rulindo district affairs management.
For Ildephonse Nshutirabana, the quality of service delivery has improved as local government officials post their names and phone numbers to the doors of their respective offices so that services searchers might communicate with them in due circumstances.
At the other side, those officials are not in their offices. They are always responding to citizens that they are attending administration meetings, Muhire said.
These incessant meetings negatively impact on the quality service delivery normally reserved for the inhabitants, journalists have revealed.
Umuhire Valentin appreciated the fact that innovated offices have been built for the convenience of services delivery, arguing for more improvements to be done especially for the availability of officials and their commitment to resolving people’s challenges.
Solange Ayanone, alongside Muvunyi Fred,who were presenting the show, asked what is the reason why the district officials delay to pay the invoices of businessmen who have completed their contracts.
Kangwagye said that this is a sad situation that should change.
Both sides should respect the contract agreement as to work effectively and harmoniously, Kangwagye has said.
Asked about why some of the officials keep delivering poor services, Leatitia Umwali responded that this is caused by the lack of mindset changes.For her, positive mindset changes are the only tools that will bring upon improved services delivery.
It is unfair and discouraging to find out that foreigners receive services quicker than Rwandans, one show presenters commented.
Most of the administrative and medical documents are written in foreign languages such as English while the first concerned people are Rwandans, most of whom are not very much knowledgeable about these languages, a journalist commented
Justus Kangwagye said that more has been done to elaborate new documents that will enable both Rwandans and foreigners easily fulfill the documents and receive the needed services.
Leatitia who represented the RDB said that her organisation has recommended these concerned administration bodies to correct these shortcomings but nothing has been done.
The coming solution will be to force them to apply the law as it is, she added.
Concerning the role of the media in reporting about these issues, Umuhire said that generally the media have done a great job through reporting on people’s challenges, even if more efforts should be provided as the advocacy about people’s challenges never ends.
He gave an example of the Pax Press media organisation that joins both officials and locals in their respective communities as to exchange the ideas about the solutions to be taken over the daily people’s hardships.
Listeners expressed their sorrow about the fact poor service delivery from the officials.
Kangwagye urged the media houses to equip their staff members with all needed tools to enable them reach information and report on issues that are facing people’s living conditions
The weekly show takes places every Sunday from 2h00 PM to 3PM. It focuses on the most reported news over the week both at national and international scenes.
UM– USEKE.RW
