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The Civil Society for Poverty
Reduction (CSPR, would like to give its reactions and initial
impressions of the draft Fifth National Development Plan (FNDP)
and the just ended stakeholder consultation workshop which was
held from Monday 24th to Thursday 27th July 2006. Firstly we
would like to commend the government for organizing the just
ended stakeholder consultation workshop. We believe it provided
an opportunity for the different participants to give their
inputs to the FNDP.
Based on the outcomes from the just ended stakeholders meeting
CSPR would like to share the following sentiments;
(A) Regarding the just ended
national consultation meeting:
Civil Society expresses its
disappointment with the fact that government did not invite
Members of Parliament (MPs), and opposition party
representatives to the stakeholder consultation meeting.
Further CSPR is disappointed that
only a limited number of civil society representatives were
invited, this affected the extent to which civil society views
were represented in the working groups. We urge government to be
open to written submissions that would come from civil society
as well as opposition political parties.
MOFNP should have extended a high
proportion of its invitations to MPs, opposition party
representatives and civil society these groups who were not
actively involved in the consultation process so that the
process is inclusive.
Instead most of the participants
invited were government civil servants from line ministries who
were formulating the sector plans in any case. Leaving out MPs
and opposition parties in the NDP process would risk the plan
not being embraced as a truly nationally owned plan.
(B)
Regarding the Draft Fifth
National Development Plan (FNDP)
The FNDP plan should clearly state
the priority poverty reductions that would be given priority
especially in light of the anticipated debt relief resources
from the multilateral debt relief initiative and these poverty
reduction resources must be protected.
The FNDP must include clearer
indicators and targets, backed by time frames in order for all
the responsible institutions to monitor and be accountable for
the implementation of the plan.
We
are further calling upon government to put in place an
institutional arrangement that separates and transfers the
planning functions at MOFNP and move
these functions to Cabinet office. This would help strengthen
the coordinating mechanisms for implementation and monitoring,
the current placement of the planning department under the MOFNP
is misplaced.
The M&E institutional framework for the NDP should explicitly
show clear linkages from the sub district structures all the way
to the national level structures and these should include civil
society and other key stakeholders. The monitoring system for
the NDP must accommodate and commit to utilizing monitoring
reports and studies produced by non state actors.
There is an urgent need to streamline the various administrative
and institutional arrangements at National, Provincial district
and traditional levels. Further government should align all the
existing policies to the NDP.
Government should amend the budget
act to include among other things the institutionalization of
the key stakeholders such as district councils and civil
societies in the budgeting process.
In view of the sentiments expressed by district representatives
and civil society at the just ended workshop that currently the
draft doesn’t reflect the distinct priorities contained in the
district plans, the MOFNP should continue to consult more with
the districts this should help to resolve the disjoint between
the overall NDP and the district development plans. Hence MOFNP
must not rush into finalizing the NDP without addressing the
concerns from the district that are key in implementing the
Plan.
There is need to include representatives from the districts,
sector ministries and civil society in the editing and final
incorporation of the FNDP in order to ensure broad ownership of
the Plan. Cross cutting issues of gender and disabilities should
be paid particular attention to and must not be left to the
consultants and MOFNP alone.
Conclusion and way forward.
As government embarks on the process of putting in place the
various institutional and administration arrangements for the
implementation and monitoring of the FNDP, we urge government to
immediately include civil society in these structures upon
adoption of the NDOP document. Civil society will continue to
work with government in contributing towards the success of the
plan including raising awareness and encouraging the communities
to be involved in the NDP.
Further government should publicize
and disseminate the final FNDP within the sector ministries and
communities so that everybody is aware of the plan. This
dissemination exercise must be budgeted for in 2007 national
budget to ensure its success.
Let me end by thanking the
government of Zambia, cooperating partners and all the Zambians
that contributed to the formulation process of the FNDP. Civil
Society looks forward to the final Document.
Thank you very much and Gods bless
you.
Robert Kelly Salati - Chairperson of the CSPR Board of Directors
28th
July 2006
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