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Chinamasa begs donors
06 May 2015 at 14:49hrs | Views
Finance and Economic Development Minister Patrick Chinamasa has begged development partners to channel aid through the government to foster transparency and curb double allocation of funds.
Chinamasa indicated that a transparent framework that would improve the effectiveness of development assistance would be set up. His remarks come after the European Union (EU), the country's major donor partner, this year resumed direct development aid to the government after 13 years of sanctions.
During the 13-year sanctions, the EU and other international development partners withdrew development aid and mainly channeled humanitarian assistance to Zimbabwe through nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) with the government angered and accusing the NGOs of abusing the funds.
International donors have in recent past accused by Zanu-PF of channelling funds through non-government organisations for regime change plot.
"Zimbabwe recognises the shortfalls and constraints in the existing institutional framework for Aid Coordination and is committed to review and strengthen the Architecture," he said.
"We desire that all grant inflows are channelled towards supporting the achievement of our national priorities, as articulated in the National Development Plan," he said.
"If aid has come and has been channelled otherwise than through the government and I don't know about it, it will be difficult for me to say to those who would have donated the money 'thank you'," Chinamasa said.
The finance minister was giving remarks at the official opening of Aid Coordination Architecture meeting.
The EU and Zimbabwe signed a five-year $270 million grant in February to support the southern African country's socioeconomic development projects till 2020.
Chinamasa indicated that a transparent framework that would improve the effectiveness of development assistance would be set up. His remarks come after the European Union (EU), the country's major donor partner, this year resumed direct development aid to the government after 13 years of sanctions.
During the 13-year sanctions, the EU and other international development partners withdrew development aid and mainly channeled humanitarian assistance to Zimbabwe through nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) with the government angered and accusing the NGOs of abusing the funds.
International donors have in recent past accused by Zanu-PF of channelling funds through non-government organisations for regime change plot.
"We desire that all grant inflows are channelled towards supporting the achievement of our national priorities, as articulated in the National Development Plan," he said.
"If aid has come and has been channelled otherwise than through the government and I don't know about it, it will be difficult for me to say to those who would have donated the money 'thank you'," Chinamasa said.
The finance minister was giving remarks at the official opening of Aid Coordination Architecture meeting.
The EU and Zimbabwe signed a five-year $270 million grant in February to support the southern African country's socioeconomic development projects till 2020.
Source - Byo24News
