With the purpose of remaining relevant, Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities (RALGA) organises periodically consultation visits to her members. The objective of the visits is to report back to the members on what RALGA has been doing for them, to allow them know better their association and to give them an opportunity to contribute ideas on areas that need improvement. It is in this context that on 24th and 25th April 2019, the members of RALGA Executive Committee and commissions visited the 8 districts, namely Huye and Gisagara in the Southern Province, Burera and Musanze in the Northern Province, Rusizi and Ngororero in the Western Province as well as Gatsibo and Nyagatare in the Eastern Province.
High turn up and active participation
During these consultation field visits, RALGA convenes representatives of all categories of members, specifically the elected leaders and staff at the District, Sector, Cell and Village levels. For the just concluded visits, the targeted participants were representatives of the District Council, the District Executive Committee, the District Executive Secretary and the Director for Human Resources and Administration at district level. At Sector and Cell levels, all Chairpersons of Councils as well as all Executive Secretaries were invited. The Chiefs of Villages were also represented. . The overall turn up in the 8 districts was over 90%.
After an introductory presentation on RALGA’s mission, mandate, responsibilities and key achievements, the participants were given ample time for asking questions but also for contributing their views. The high turn up and the quality of interventions show the level of interest of the members in their association as well as a high degree of ownership.
Valuable contributions and appreciation
Most of contributions from the participants suggested ways of improving the services rendered by RALGA to its members. In the capacity building area, the participants first of all ackowledged RALGA’s role in building their capacity to deliver through induction courses, technical forums, study visits for experience sharing and formal training through the Local Governance Institute. They also welcomed the establishment of an online learning platform which will allow more flexibility in terms of learning schedule and an increase of the number of beneficiaries. However, they insisted on the need of providing induction courses to all new staff and leaders as soon as they start their job.
The participants also commended RALGA’ efforts to provide skilled and capable staff to local government entities through a quality and transparent staff recruitment process. However, they deplored some delays observed along thisprocess. RALGA representatives acknowledged this situation and provided explanations on factors affecting behind those delays, including delayed publication of the vacant positions, the huge number of candidates and lengthy appealing procedures which put the process on hold, . The participants also requested continuous advocacy by RALGA for the improvement of the working environment for local leaders, particularly those working as volunteers. Those from Cell and Village levels particularly expressed the need to be provided with transport and communication facilitation where the budget allows.
Regarding the representation mandate, the members visited expressed thair appreciation for the visibility of their association, thanks to an effecient representation both at national, regional and global levels. The participants from Gisagara District were particularly proud over the fact that the Chairperson of their District Council, Cllr. Innocent UWIMANA, currently also chairing RALGA, also represents the 11 countries of the Eastern Africa Region in the United Cities and Local Government of Africa (UCLGA), and at the same time a Board Member of the Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF).
