Bugesera – From the 2nd to the 3rd October 2019, the entire staff of the Local Administrative Entities Development Agency (LODA) gathers at HOTEL LA PALISSE NYAMATA for a two day retreat. The ultimate of objective of this retreat is to allow staff members to reflect on LODA’s mission and mandate, build up team spirit, inspire and revive the sense of responsibility. The retreat is also expected to review the first quarter achievements versus annual targets, assess the challenges, gaps and strengths of the institution. This retreat is carried out under the leitmotiv “Coming together is a BEGINING, keeping together is a PROGRESS, working together is a SUCCESS”.

In her welcome remarks, Mrs. NYINAWAGAGA Claudine reiterated LODA’s noble mission of alleviating poverty among Rwandans. She expressed her belief that LODA staff has enough intellectual capacity, and that the institution has sufficient financial means to deliver on that mandate. She insisted upon everyone’s contribution in building up unity, working together, and being transparent so as to attain the mandate. She reiterated the country’s commitment of reducing poverty from 36% to 16% and alleviating extreme poverty from16% to 0% by 2024 as indicates the National Strategy for Transformation (NST 1).

This retreat was officiated by Professor SHYAKA Anastase, Minister of Local Government who also emphasized on LODA's mandate as a public institution which is in a strategic seat to relieve Rwandans from poverty. He condemned the meager step made in the recent five years as per EICV5 (reduction of extreme poverty from 16.3% to 16%).  He advised LODA staff to keep the team spirit and be hard working towards Rwanda’s transformation. “As you hold this retreat I leave you this homework: ‘be one team, work hard’ towards socio-economic transformation to relieve Rwandans from poverty […]. I trust your capacity to have a retreat that is sincere, but also constructive”, he said.

This retreat shall enable new LODA staff members have a clear-cut understanding of LODA’s responsibilities. It shall equally offer an opportunity to the entire personnel to make introspection, revive their efforts, and therefore serve as a springboard for the fulfillment of LODA’s noble mission.