MINALOC - Mifotra

MINALOC, Functional Review draft, 31 March 2008
The general diagnosis is that in the absence of capacity at the level of the structures or agents designated
to implement certain tasks, the higher level takes on the responsibility. This practice is generalised to
correct imperfections of the reform.
A.5. PERFORMANCE AND CAPACITY
A.5.1. Evidence of performance
The document of Vision 2020 does not talk about Local Government nor MINALOC. And yet good
governance is one of the 5 pillars of the document. The socio-economic indicators do not allow for
measuring either the decentralisation process or good governance.
The document of the EDPRS also does not have quantifiable objectives, nor does it have an objective, the
implementation of which would be the sole responsibility of MINALOC. This is once again a
consequence of the way in which the Ministries are formulated.
One of the objectives of the terms of reference was to assess to what extent the current structural
organisation of the Ministry would allow it to achieve the objectives of the EDPRS. The EDPRS includes
many quantitative indicators.
The role of MINALOC in the EDPRS is to “Promote decentralisation, citizen participation and
empowerment, transparency and accountability”. It is not stated in the EDPRS that MINALOC is also in
charge of social affairs, but MINALOC is responsible for ensuring the provision of services to the poor,
whilst looking after local development 27
As indicated on MINALOC’s website and in the logical framework of the EDPRS, “The mandate of the
Decentralization, Citizens’ Participation and Accountability sector (DCPA), which is based in MINALOC,
is to provide equitable, efficient and effective pro-poor service delivery, while promoting local
development in an environment of good governance. The sector has identified three areas for
interventions.
o Firstly, clear guidelines and frameworks (policy, legal and institutional) must be defined, so as to
establish sound partnerships in service delivery and build capacity at all levels of governance to
ensure quality service provision.
o Secondly, measures will be taken to develop a democratic culture by institutionalizing citizens’
participation at various levels of decision-making.
Thirdly, mechanisms for monitoring and evaluation will be developed which are based on the sector’s
nascent management information system”
The evaluation of performance indicators requires for the most part a survey at the end of a given period.
For example “% of people who believe the government is accountable and responsive to people’s needs is
80% in 2007, the target is 100% in 2011”. Thus, it is hoped that by 2012, 100% of surveyed respondents
will understand the policy of decentralization, express satisfaction and confidence in decentralized
governance, and believe that the government is accountable and responsive to people’s needs. In addition,
95% of interviewees should report that the level of corruption and fraud is low or non-existent, 90%
should believe that elections are free and fair, 80% should be satisfied with their participation in decision-
27 Another aspect of the promotion of participation by the general population and the appropriation of their
development is translated into the community work carried out on the last Saturday of each month at village level
across the country (Umuganda). In this community work, the residents of the village come together to carry out
activities which benefit their community and to discuss issues of both national and local interest and the
development plan. It is also an opportunity to transmit information to citizens and to give them a voice in the
governance of their village.
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