Many of you have been elected by newly empowered citizens, who seldom, if ever, have had the power and privilege of representative government. I salute you for your courage and your leadership. You are showing the way to an era of new and effective government. It cannot be imposed, either by national authorities, or by international agencies. It cannot be created overnight, nor can it take root in one day.
Good governance is an accomplishment.
It is the fruit of true dedication, selfless leadership, and a politics of integrity. Indeed, if all politics are local, so too can it be said that all good politics begin with good local politics. By bringing good governance closer to those who have elected you, by showing that honest, efficient government is possible, you are giving new life and new reason to politics.