Kigali — President Paul Kagame has said that the government still faces stiff challenges in dealing with genocide-related problems and called for strong dedication of all government sectors to solve the existing challenges.

"Justice related problems especially genocide ideologies and administration of justice to the genocidaires still poses a big challenge to the government," Kagame said in his opening remarks at the Third National Dialogue at the Parliament Buildings that was attended by a cross-section of dignitaries on December 13.

President Kagame is the Chairman of the National Dialogue and presides over the proceedings of the summit. This year's National Dialogue is reviewing progress registered in operationalising government programmes and policies.

Meanwhile, in a detailed presentation of a report on government programmes and policies, the Prime Minister Bernard Makuza disclosed that most of the recommendations of the Second National Dialogue have been effected, while some others are underway.

"The government has in the last one year established in-depth cooperation with other societal sectors in the realization of good governance, with a sole aim of eliminating corruption and holding public officials accountable," Makuza said in a report that also focused on the standards of living of citizens and the national economy.

The Premier defended the recent seizure and auction of government-owned vehicles, saying the move was aimed at curbing government expenditure.

"About Frw 5, 755, 000, 010 was obtained from the sale of these vehicles and this money will be used to offer car loans to government officials; they will service the vehicles at their own expense," he said adding that telephone expenses have been also reduced.

He warned the officials against telephone misuse, saying the government officials and institutions found abusing the ceiling set by government will pay for the extra units used.

Makuza also disclosed that rules and procedures of awarding tenders in the country have been streamlined to eliminate corruption during the tendering processes.

On education, the Premier noted that teachers' salaries had improved and that a savings scheme had been established to enable the teachers acquire financial loans for their development. Last week President Paul Kagame disclosed that the government had set aside 1.3 billion Francs in next year's budget to kick-start the teachers' savings scheme.

Makuza further disclosed that by 2007, Rwanda will be using energy generated by tapping methane gas from Lake Kivu.

"We will have more energy from Lake Kivu that will be generated from methane gas by a company called Dane Associates that was subcontracted for generation and this will help solve the prevailing energy crisis in the country," he said.

The Premier also said that the agricultural sector is gradually developing especially in the production of coffee, 'one of the country's largest foreign exchange earners'. "There has been an increase in the number of coffee processing plants from 25 to 46," he said.

He also said that tourism industry has registered tremendous progress, with a 17% increase in the number of tourists.

"Government has also emphasized local tourism especially with pupils and students visiting national parks and historical sites; about eight hundred students have already visited the tourism sites in the country," Makuza added.

Makuza however decried cases of child and drug abuse, domestic violence and the insecurity of the Gacaca witnesses.

The two-day summit brought together about eight hundred dignitaries including ministers, legislators and local councillors.