Musanze - For Local Government (LG) Local Economic Development (LED) infrastructure investments to be efficiently implemented and monitored, there is strong need to enforce clear-cut measurement tools for all projects undertaken in all Districts. In this regard, from 8th to 9th March 2018, LODA executed a training on Feasibility Study Guidelines, Planning & Monitoring, as well as Operations & Maintenance. The training was designed to the attention of District Councilors (Economic Commission), Executive Secretaries of Provinces and City of Kigali (CoK), Directors of Planning at Province level and the CoK, Vice Mayors in charge of Economic Development and District Executive Secretaries. This training is running concurrently at provincial sites: Musanze, Huye, Rwamagana & Rubavu. In his opening remarks, Mr. NSANZIMFURA Djafari, Ag. LED Unit Director at LODA, stated that this kind of training emanates from the request of LG Projects Advisory Committee, Executive Secretaries of Provinces and CoK and MINALOC, who for long realized that many LED projects are hampered by consequences of poor studies.  All consultations from these organs led to a resolution that efforts should be provided to equip District Councilors and Senior staff with sufficient knowledge to enable them ensure efficient and effective implementation of LED investments in LGs. In his exposé, Mr. SIBOMANA André, LED consultant at LODA, reiterated the major project requirements as per different legal provisions, ministerial orders and circulars. The former include Feasibility Study, Environmental Impact Assessment, Planning & studies, Procurement, Monitoring, Operation & Maintenance. He thoroughly explained different dimensions of Feasibility Study, namely Technical Feasibility, Social Feasibility including needs assessment, Environmental Feasibility, and Financial & Economic Feasibility. He emphasized on citizen participatory planning as stipulates the GoR’s Vision 2020, EDPRS2 and NST1, whereby citizens’ priorities should be primarily considered. Mr. JABO Paul, Executive Secretary of Northern Province, lauded LODA’s initiative to train District Councillors and senior staff on feasibility studies. “There will no longer be any further project initiative that can be implemented without bearing a feasibility study and without consultation from beneficiaries. There used to be project opportunities which were implemented but it was later realized they entailed almost no benefit for the local population. This measure shall enable us deliver fast on the country’s development goals”. Participants also appreciated this refresher training saying it shall leave with them more increased knowledge in LED project implementation, and shall in turn better contribute to the successfulness of projects in their respective Districts. Mr. NIYONZIMA Bonaventure, one of Economic Commission Councillors from Gicumbi District, acknowledges that this training has been so important since it shall instil into councillors more technical knowledge  on project feasibility studies; and they shall therefore appropriately conduct proper monitoring of activities. He added on that operation and maintenance of LED projects is area that is going to be taken care of. The training is to last two days and is expected to make both the District Councilors and the Executive committee aware of the importance of feasibility studies, and consequently both groups shall provide the necessary support and facilitation to their technical teams during the implementation of District plans.