Minister of Local Government, Dominique Habimana, has warned public officials against delaying or mishandling services, saying citizens are entitled to quality public services rather than receiving them as a favour.
Habimana made the remarks on Wednesday, Sept. 23, while launching a week-long campaign focused on civil registration services in Gasaka Sector, Nyamagabe District, to coincide with International Civil Registration Day.
“Providing good services to the citizens you are responsible for is your duty. It is not a favour you are doing for citizens,” Habimana told local officials, urging them to provide services promptly and without making residents move from one office to another unnecessarily.
He said efficient public services are part of the country’s development efforts and warned that officials who fail to meet their responsibilities would face consequences.
The campaign, running from Sept. 23 to 28 under the theme “Effective civil registration is a pillar of quality services,” is also being used to register and photograph residents who want to obtain digital identity cards.
At the time of the minister’s visit, about 150 residents had been registered, including 64 children.
Habimana encouraged those who had not yet registered to do so, saying proper registration would help residents access services and rights provided for under the law.
Nyamagabe was also recognised for its performance in public service delivery after ranking among the leading districts during the previous financial year. Habimana presented an award to the district administration in recognition of the progress made.
District officials and residents, however, raised challenges affecting service delivery, including problems with technology systems.
Residents also cited delays in receiving fertiliser and agricultural lime, saying the inputs sometimes arrive after they have already prepared their fields.
Habimana said the government would take measures to address the challenges raised.
The civil registration campaign will continue across the district until Sept. 28, with officials expected to encourage residents to register and ensure they can access services linked to their legal identity.
