23 November 2007
Addis Ababa — Ethiopia and its development partners on Wednesday announced that remarkable achievement was made in the implementation of the US 816 million basic services program.
The Protection of Basic Services program was launched two years ego to help increase the government's own spending on services such as health education and agriculture ,safe water and sanitation for the Ethiopian fiscal year 1997-2000.
The donor financing has also supported the purchase and delivery of essential commodities for the health sector and sought to enhance transparency in public financial management and around budget processes.
The results of the joint review conducted by the government and the donor group were announced at a press conference held at the World Bank Ethiopia Country Office.
Ken Ohashi, Country Director in Ethiopia and Sudan and Paul Ackyord Head of UK's DFID gave detailed account of the progress made in the sectors covered by the joint review for the period of the Ethiopian fiscal year 1997-2000.
According to the results of the review, resources in basic services have doubled from 1997 to 2000.
The joint release further confirmed that Block grants to regions increased from ETB 5.6 billion to ETB 13.6 billion, during the reported period and that the grants are allocated and disbursed transparently, rules- based and without distortion The review also heralded good news on primary enrolment rate in the country which it said "reaches all time high at 14 million." Fight against malaria makes progress, as well, according to the review.
Malaria is being treated aggressively across the country. More than 18 million insecticide treated bed nets have been distributed, and health centers have sufficient stocks of rapid diagnostic testing kits and drugs in malaria prone areas," the review sated.
More financial information is available publicly, the joint review observed citing that in the regions, budgets are being published in newspapers and gazettas.
And in woredas, budget plans are being posted in public areas and an increasing number are sharing actual spending data, the review said adding accountability activities have begun in communities.
Meanwhile the government and donors have its partners have agreed to continue support for basic services of PBS and have actually working on second phase PBS.
"It is very encouraging to be involved as accountability activities in Ethiopia gather momentum. In time, these projects will be developed and scaled up to reach citizens across the country, improving local governments' responsiveness in service provision." Ken Ohashi, World Bank Country Director for Ethiopia and Sudan said.
The Ethiopian International partners-The World Bank, UK's, Department for International Development and other international donors committed a total resource of US 816 million through PBS.
At this fifth review, it has been found that PBS is a successful method to support decentralized basic service delivery.
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