More than half of government services are still delivered at national level, raising questions among lawmakers about progress in implementing Rwanda’s decentralisation policy, which aims to bring public services closer to citizens.
The issue was raised on Tuesday during discussions between members of Parliament’s Committee on Governance and Gender Affairs and the Ministry of Local Government (MINALOC). The meeting reviewed implementation of the 2021 National Decentralisation Policy.
According to figures presented during the discussions, 56 per cent of services are still provided at national level, while 44 per cent are delivered through decentralised structures.
MP Sylivie Muyango Mukayiranga said the figures showed that the transfer of services to local government had not yet matched the country’s stated commitment to putting citizens first.
“We keep saying that our national slogan is to put the citizen first, yet 56 per cent of services are still at national level. In other words, the citizen has not yet been put first in the way we want,” she said.
She called on MINALOC to provide a clear timetable showing which services would be transferred to local authorities and when the changes would take place.
Local Government Minister Dominique Habimana said the fact that 44 per cent of services were delivered at local level did not mean that all the remaining services should be moved from national institutions.
He said some services were appropriately handled by central government, adding that the important consideration was to ensure each service was provided at the level best suited to deliver it.
“It does not mean there is a problem, because some services can still be provided at national level. What matters is knowing which services should be delivered at a particular level, so that those meant for local government are transferred there,” Habimana said.
The MPs also argued that decentralisation should involve more than moving services closer to residents. They said local authorities needed to improve how citizens are received, how their concerns are handled and how decisions affecting them are explained.
Muyango called for local government officials and staff to receive more training on treating citizens with respect. She said access to quality public services was a right, not a favour granted by officials.
She added that residents who raise complaints should receive explanations on how their cases are being handled. Where a problem cannot be resolved, they should be informed of the reasons and obstacles rather than being left without feedback.
The meeting also examined the time local officials spend in meetings. Figures presented showed that local government leaders spend 65 of the 365 days in a year attending meetings.
Lawmakers said frequent meetings could leave residents unable to find officials when they visit sector or cell offices seeking services. They urged MINALOC to review how meetings are organised so that administrative duties do not interfere with service delivery.
The discussions centred on how to translate the decentralisation policy into practical improvements in the services citizens receive.
