Kigali — Prime Minister Bernard Makuza Wednesday toured and met residents of Nkombo Island in Rusizi district, an area whose residents have for years lagged behind in development.

During the meeting that was held at Nkombo Primary School, Makuza called upon the islanders to work hard in order to improve their standards of living

"There is a big role for you to play in the country's economic development which will also improve your lives, and this can only be achieved by working hard," Makuza Said.

He commended the residents for the rapid development of their sector but also encouraged them to increase their agricultural production which he said would help them to reduce poverty in the area.

The Prime Minister further implored them to embrace education by taking their children to school and taking part in the ongoing construction of the classrooms for the Nine-Year Basic Education programme.

Makuza also encouraged the local leaders and residents to help vulnerable residents whose houses were destroyed by the earthquake that hit their sector last year.

He promised them that electricity would be extended to the island very soon, calling upon them to effectively and efficiently use it when it gets there.

The Premier was accompanied by the Minister of Local Government, Christopher Bazivamo, who encouraged the residents to actively participate in the different government programmes like land consolidation and also participate in the on-going tree-planting campaign

After visiting Rusizi, the Prime Minister is also expected to visit Nyamasheke District.