10.12.2012 Views

Challenges in the Era of Globalization - iaabd

Challenges in the Era of Globalization - iaabd

Challenges in the Era of Globalization - iaabd

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

Proceed<strong>in</strong>gs <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 12th Annual Conference © 2011 IAABD<br />

public executive organs. Ethiopia used its M<strong>in</strong>istry <strong>of</strong> Economic Development and Cooperation, now it is<br />

MoFED for plann<strong>in</strong>g and adm<strong>in</strong>istration <strong>of</strong> public <strong>in</strong>vestment projects. In between 1991 and 2006, <strong>the</strong><br />

M<strong>in</strong>istry <strong>of</strong> Economic Development and Cooperation prepared and used checklists for project appraisal.<br />

In 2006, MoFED developed a new system and different tools for preparation, appraisal, monitor<strong>in</strong>g and<br />

evaluation <strong>of</strong> public sector projects. The purpose <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> system and tools is to help practitioners <strong>in</strong><br />

design<strong>in</strong>g viable projects that meet <strong>the</strong> development needs and priorities <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> government and to provide<br />

sufficient <strong>in</strong>formation for decision makers (MoFED, 2006). It is an <strong>in</strong>terest<strong>in</strong>g system for <strong>in</strong>formed<br />

decision mak<strong>in</strong>g and value for money. Accord<strong>in</strong>g to this system, public <strong>in</strong>vestment projects <strong>in</strong> Ethiopia<br />

should be <strong>in</strong>itiated from government development programmes and plans, which are derived from <strong>the</strong><br />

prevail<strong>in</strong>g development policies. If sectors have a budget source from <strong>the</strong> government treasury, <strong>the</strong><br />

project concept is prepared by <strong>the</strong> sectors and <strong>the</strong>y will send it to MoFED. Once <strong>the</strong> project concept is<br />

approved by MoFED, sectors will prepare <strong>the</strong> project document <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g cost estimate and submit to<br />

MoFED. After check<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> project proposal <strong>the</strong> m<strong>in</strong>istry ei<strong>the</strong>r approves <strong>the</strong> project or returns for<br />

amendments or rejects. On <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r hand, if <strong>the</strong> source <strong>of</strong> f<strong>in</strong>ance is assistance or loan, <strong>the</strong> proposal<br />

comes to MoFED and <strong>the</strong> m<strong>in</strong>istry will check <strong>the</strong> proposal aga<strong>in</strong>st <strong>the</strong> government development<br />

strategies. After check<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> project proposal, MoFED will send it to Council <strong>of</strong> M<strong>in</strong>istries and fur<strong>the</strong>r to<br />

<strong>the</strong> House <strong>of</strong> People’s Representatives. However, this is a <strong>the</strong>oretical framework and <strong>in</strong> practice <strong>the</strong>re are<br />

deviations.<br />

In <strong>the</strong> previous paragraphs <strong>of</strong> this section we tried to analyze <strong>the</strong> most important challenges <strong>of</strong> public<br />

<strong>in</strong>vestment projects <strong>in</strong> Ethiopia. The results <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> survey <strong>in</strong>dicated problems related with <strong>the</strong> project<br />

governance system <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> country. In order to develop <strong>the</strong> results and to <strong>in</strong>dentify <strong>the</strong> problems we made<br />

<strong>in</strong>terviews with 35 key pr<strong>of</strong>essionals who have long experience <strong>in</strong> public <strong>in</strong>vestment projects. The<br />

<strong>in</strong>terviewees po<strong>in</strong>ted out problems between major parties <strong>in</strong>volved <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> project governance framework<br />

<strong>of</strong> Ethiopia. Majority <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>terviewees confirmed that <strong>the</strong> l<strong>in</strong>k between sectors and MoFED as weak.<br />

L<strong>in</strong>kages between MoFED, o<strong>the</strong>r government and non-government stakeholders are weak throughout <strong>the</strong><br />

process.<br />

Figure 1 summarizes <strong>the</strong> analysis <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>terviews. The government is overambitious <strong>in</strong> design<strong>in</strong>g<br />

projects and <strong>the</strong>re is no patience to give enough time for plann<strong>in</strong>g. Coverage and equity between regions<br />

have been given more emphasis than <strong>the</strong> merit <strong>of</strong> projects. This creates problems related to <strong>the</strong> usefulness<br />

and susta<strong>in</strong>ability <strong>of</strong> project effects. MoFED which is <strong>the</strong>oretically responsible for projects appraisal and<br />

evaluation have no genu<strong>in</strong>e power and have shortage <strong>of</strong> experts. The coord<strong>in</strong>ation between its different<br />

units <strong>of</strong> MoFED is weak. The m<strong>in</strong>istry project appraisal system lacks mandatory control gateways for<br />

project concept, project alternatives, uncerta<strong>in</strong>ty analysis and need assessments. Sectors also have<br />

shortages <strong>of</strong> experts and basel<strong>in</strong>e data for plann<strong>in</strong>g. Fur<strong>the</strong>rmore, <strong>the</strong>re are problems at <strong>the</strong> l<strong>in</strong>ks that<br />

connect <strong>the</strong>se parties. For example <strong>the</strong> l<strong>in</strong>k between <strong>the</strong> government and MoFED is a one way traffic. The<br />

government decides and <strong>the</strong> m<strong>in</strong>istry implements <strong>the</strong> decisions. The pr<strong>of</strong>essional analysis and <strong>in</strong>puts <strong>of</strong><br />

MoFED that could basis <strong>the</strong> government decisions are ei<strong>the</strong>r not used, or not <strong>in</strong>fluential or do not wanted<br />

at all. On <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r hand <strong>the</strong> l<strong>in</strong>k between MoFED and sectors are weak. For <strong>the</strong> last couple <strong>of</strong> years, from<br />

all locally f<strong>in</strong>anced projects only very small number <strong>of</strong> projects from sectors could go to MoFED for<br />

appraisal and approval. Majority <strong>of</strong> projects are apprised and evaluated by <strong>the</strong> sectors <strong>the</strong>mselves. This<br />

implies that coord<strong>in</strong>ation between MoFED and sectors are very weak. MoFED is not exercis<strong>in</strong>g its power<br />

accord<strong>in</strong>g to <strong>the</strong> proclamation No. 642/2009.<br />

Fig 1. Analysis <strong>of</strong> problems <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> project governance system <strong>of</strong> Ethiopia<br />

Urgency<br />

High ambition<br />

Coverage and equity <strong>in</strong>terest<br />

748

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!