Burundi now to borrow Imihigo concept
Friday October 05 2012
President Paul Kagame hands over a trophy to Kicukiro District mayor Paul Ndamage. The district emerged tops in Imihigo. Photo/CYRIL NDEGEYA
Burundi will adopt Rwanda’s decentralised system and performance contracting to improve service delivery in government offices.
Recently, a delegation of Burundi Members of Parliament visited the country to study the decentralised system of governance, and how it has been used to improve service delivery.
“In Burundi, we are in the process of passing laws to decentralise government services. The lessons we have learnt here will help us play our role effectively,” said Marcelline Bararufise, the leader of delegation.
Ms Bararufise hailed Rwanda for directly engaging its citizens in decision-making, through a decentralised service delivery system.
The MPs also learned the concept of performance contracting —Imihigo— and how it helps fast-track development.
She added that the visit enabled the delegation to understand how Rwanda’s parliament enacted laws to include citizens in identification and implementation of development projects.
Ms Bararufise said her country would apply the experiences learned to help Burundi realise sustainable development.
During their stay in the country, the Burundian MPs visited the office of the ombudsman, local government offices and the office of the Auditor General, the key offices in the decentralised system.
READ: Decentralisation: more accountability, less corruption?
“Back in Burundi, we have different systems that tackle different issues like corruption, but this particular visit will help us make them perfect, we appreciated the bridging of bureaucracy, the spirit of zero tolerance of corruption and the role of everybody in nation building,” added the MP.
According to Alfred Rwasa Kayiranga, chairperson of the Committee on Political Affairs, the decentralised policy was developed after widespread consultation on the causes of disunity among Rwandans.
“In countrywide consultations, the citizens showed a remarkable desire to have a voice in the affairs of the state we are proud to have formulated it and see it a recording remarkable benefits,” said Mr Rwasa.
According to official figures, in 1998, about 70 per cent of Rwandans lived below the poverty line—most of them in rural areas.
However, the recently launched Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS 2),10 per cent have jumped the poverty line.
Imihigo allowed participation of citizens in the implementation of projects.