Never Again Rwanda, in partnership with Radio Isangano, organized a community dialogue under the theme “Service Delivery as a Pillar for Development in Bwishyura sector, Karongi District”. The dialogue offered an opportunity for citizens to directly express their needs, priorities and challenges in regards to service delivery in governance.
While officially opening the dialogue, the Head of Programs at Never Again Rwanda Eric Mahoro, called upon citizens to participate in decision-making processes, not only because it’s their duty, but also because their participation will determine the quality of services that they will receive from local leaders. He also urged citizens to hold their leaders accountable by voicing their needs, challenges and priorities while expressing their satisfaction to responsive service delivery.
Some of the echoes from the local residents included one Aimable Byiringiro once a street child, who urged leaders to treat street children as humans because often times they tend to harass and arrest them. “How do you expect a street child to influence and voice his or her issue to leaders, yet he runs away at the sight of leaders?” Amiable exclaimed! Also, Mbonyinshuti Jean Baptiste raised a dire family related issue where the wife has threatened to kill him if he doesn’t kill her first, based on a family business that wasn’t managed appropriately. He made his cry at the community dialogue claiming that he told the religious leaders about his plea for intervention, in vain.
In relation to such, among many other similar issues in the community, Nicolas Karasanyi, the Director of Social Affairs in Karongi District called on local leaders to prompt respond to people’s needs and concerns so as to ensure that effective service delivery on the people’s priorities and expectations. “Effective service delivery should be at the center of local government’s mandate in order to build trust and improve the living conditions for the population while also meeting citizens’ expectations and satisfactions”, Karasanyi said.
Since the dialogue was facilitated by Radio Isangano, the role of media in reporting on service delivery was also highlighted, prompting radio ‘Isangano’ to commit to becoming more involved in the coverage on service delivery related issues and achievements in the Karongi district.