Greetings to you all people of Ruhango and others from different districts. How are you all? I am delighted to meet you and to thank you for all you are doing aimed at developing yourselves and our country.
Thank you for coming in large numbers to meet and discuss issues that build our country.
A lot has been said but allow me repeat some in details in a manner that would allow us to continue developing.
Foremost, we must understand the strength of our capacity if we all gather our will, strength and knowledge; we have the capacity to change our lives into better lives.
We have the ability to achieve the kind of development attained in other developed countries. Such developed nations have more wealth and have surplus from which they donate to take care of Rwandans.
Rwandans are not supposed to be taken care of by surplus wealth from other countries. Do you hear me? Do you want to live like this? No, you cannot go to the dining table and wait to be given the leftovers. This is not proper. You ought to serve yourselves what you have put onto the dining table by yourselves. There are a lot of examples that prove its possible to serve ourselves. Isn’t it?
Before we achieve capacity to serve ourselves, there must be a change in your attitude. The change in attitude makes it easier to transform your lives for the better.
Have you heard what Madam Mukarugambwa has told us? She is like anyone of you. What she can do, you also have the capacity to do it.
She remembers to go to the bank; she remembers to buy a hoe and later uses the hoe to cultivate her land. Why would you buy a hoe if you won’t cultivate?
We had agreed on many things, some have been done while others are underway. We must fulfill all we agreed because it’s in the best of our interests.
The government will provide you with the Vision, means and partnership but the rest is for the citizens to put in action. If the government gave you a cow it won’t also graze it for you. It’s you to graze it. Isn’t it? You must put your effort and graze it well and make it productive and be able to solve your problems.
If the government gives you a hoe, it will not come and use it to cultivate for you. It’s you to use the hoe. Isn’t it? We must share work and everyone must benefit from this to transform lives. When your lives change, the lives of the nation also change.
In the past fifteen years, Rwanda was not where it is today. We have progressed substantially. In the next ten years we must progress further. This is how people live and this is how they accord themselves value. We shouldn’t just talk about it as a parable.
What we have achieved is visible among the citizens. Everyone can see that even on your faces. You are looking good and healthy-that’s how people should be. And always finding solutions of their existing challenges by themselves.
We are gradually leaving behind a lot of problems and heading towards solutions only. Even after here we shall be discussing solutions not problems. Do not bring problems here; come with solutions and this should become your culture. Even the songs you sang have good words. It would also be good if we base on those good words to do better work.
Do not allow anyone to destroy. Always condemn such people. Don’t be lenient with such people. People focused on solutions do not destroy. We left behind such people who only aim at destruction. We don’t want to find such people ahead. They are problematic.
Do not allow anybody to destabilize your security, culture, roads and lives. Lives are not for playing around with or to destroy. Life is for those that have value and it’s in your capacity to accord value to yourselves.
This is all in line with what has brought us here. I have seen a new hospital built here better than other hospitals in the city. It should not only stop at the building alone, you need to handle it well.
The hospital should help save and maintain citizens’ lives. And sensitize citizens on how to prevent diseases and other health issues…. the hospital should provide better services. I will return and inquire from you about the quality of service the hospital will provide to you.
There is also a cassava processing plant. In the past years, Cassava used to be consumed in its raw form. In some cases, they would consume it roasted. And would also boil it. That was the value of cassava at home level.
The cassava factory will add more value to cassava and will be able to export to Europe. This will add value to cassava farmers in Rwanda. You should now grow more cassava and supply to the factory to add value and increase our income.
You requested to acquire shares in the cassava factory. It’s very easy. First form a cooperative and its possible you can secure a stake in the factory. This would improve your lives and promote the factory.
In the past we lost a lot of time, we don’t want to lose anymore. We need to work hard and achieve quick progress without wasting time.
I have also seen a swamp near the factory and wondered why the swamp is just full of water…Why should it be a problem rather than a solution? It should be reclaimed so that it can become productive. Those concerned should make a follow-up on that swamp.
Residents of Ruhango that was the message I had for you and as I promised, I will return. Work hard and develop.
Thank you very much.
(The Original speech was delivered in Kinyarwanda)
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