Blair calls for practical efficiency from Rwandan leaders for 'vision to become reality'
BY GEORGE KAGAME
Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has called for more Rwandans with commitment to make the vision of the country a reality. Blair who is on a marathon working visit to Rwanda was on Wednesday meeting with key ministers for private sector investment at Village Urugwiro.
He said that the government of Rwanda had the potential to 'wave goodbye to donors' and he was "supporting the process of transforming that vision into reality."
The meeting was attended by Linda Bihire, the Minister of Infrastructure, Stanisla Kamanzi, Minister Environmental Affairs and Renewable Energy, as well as Agnes Kalibata, state Minister for Agriculture. Also present were Major General Frank Mugambage the director of cabinet, and Minister of Finance James Musoni who chaired the meeting.
The ministers discussed Rwanda's planned long term development projects underway or soon to begin. These ranged from a cross section of fields like infrastructure, road networks to speed up the country’s integration process in the East African Community. The projects were presented by government officials involved in the real sector development strategy and drivers' for growth.
Among projects underway include reforms the government has adopted in the improvement of service efficiency in the commercial operations both in the private and public sectors as well as land ownership reforms. The land title reforms were underway beginning last money where new tittles were issued to land owners that had applied.
Lands Minister Kamanzi said the titles are set to increase access to financial services to a large number of Rwandans who in turn will expand the private sector especially in agricultural development as they will have more access to bank services. The government also revealed plans to construct several roads linking Rwanda to Tanzania and the crucial seaport of Dar Salaam. These included railway projects from Isaka Tanzania to Rwanda and the Isaka Musongati Kigali highway.
Blair who jetted in Rwanda this week after meeting Middle East leaders in his other capacity as envoy working on behalf of the US, Russia, the UN and the EU in the Middle East said that his office was engaged to work with the Rwanda government towards the practical implementation of Rwanda's ambitions today. But he cautioned the leaders that even if his office can help the country, there should be efficient Rwandans committed to working, adding if that happened, Rwanda could achieve her stated desire to wave goodbye to the donor community and would be among the countries creating their own future.
He offered to serve as President Paul Kagame's non paid advisor upon stepping down as Prime Minister in 2007. He said: "For Rwanda, it’s a special moment. Even with the external crisis, Rwanda is trying to achieve her vision. President Kagame wants total unity and beyond that he has worked hard to develop all sectors of the economy. The terrible things that happened here have been resolved and the government is now trying to promote a stable successful country to make Rwandans develop."
Blair further challenged the nature of relationships that exists between donor and raid recipient countries:" There must be capacity built in the country to sustain itself. Development today is not about multiple negotiations between aid recipient executives and their donor counterparts talking big figures of funds." He also said it was important to leaders able and committed to making her ambitions a reality, he added that his time as Britain's Prime Minister for 10 years was a good example for Rwandan leaders to follow:
"Before becoming Prime Minister I never had any prior experience in government. My first job with government was also the top most. For years thinking and getting the vision right as Prime Minister. I learnt the need to have the right structure around me."
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