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Public Financial Management for PRSP - Deutsches Institut für ...

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<strong>Public</strong> <strong>Financial</strong> <strong>Management</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>PRSP</strong> Implementation in Malawi<br />

gained the impression that some elements regarding the role of the NLGFC as<br />

well as elements regarding advice and transfer of funds are seen critically.<br />

In some district secretariats, the attitude seems to dominate that the NLGFC<br />

as an institutional link between central and local government level is not<br />

necessary, but that the local authorities should cooperate directly with central<br />

government (i.e. MOLGRD). This feeling stems from the fear that the<br />

NLGFC might not always pass on complaints from the districts to central<br />

level, e.g. regarding insufficient funding. Interviews also revealed that there<br />

was lack of understanding why the treasury did not transfer funds directly to<br />

the districts. This shows that the role of the NLGFC is sometimes not quite<br />

clear and is sometimes regarded with suspicion by local authorities. Plans and<br />

budgets are approved by the assembly but are to be reviewed by the NLGFC.<br />

However, it is questionable how well the NLGFC can fill this function if it is<br />

not involved in the planning process itself.<br />

In general, however, it the NLGFC’s support and advice is judged positively.<br />

However, there is still room <strong>for</strong> improvement. For example, the NLGFC only<br />

visits local authorities twice a year due to lack of time and lack of funds. In<br />

addition, the NLGFC frequently withholds transferring funds. Often, this is<br />

due irregularities or unmet reporting requirements at local level. It can also<br />

result from scarce resources at central level. These deficiencies combined<br />

with poor communication lead to an unclear picture <strong>for</strong> the district assemblies<br />

of the link between per<strong>for</strong>mance and funding (GFA 2005, 47). Consequently,<br />

the DAs often do not know or understand why the NLGFC holds back funding.<br />

This in turn increases the level of uncertainty under which they operate.<br />

Operational link between central and local strategic planning <strong>for</strong><br />

development<br />

No operational link exists between strategic plans of the local and central<br />

government levels (i.e. between District Development Plans and the M<strong>PRSP</strong><br />

or the Vision 2020). In particular, there is no coherent poverty monitoring<br />

system at local government level and monitoring and evaluation activities at<br />

central and local government level are not coordinated. In addition, weak<br />

capacity <strong>for</strong> monitoring and evaluation at local level makes the coordination<br />

of poverty related data collection and consolidation difficult. This is further<br />

complicated by the multiplicity of data collection points below the Assembly<br />

level, which tend to be different <strong>for</strong> each sector ministry (GFA 2005, 46 et<br />

seq.). A more consistent monitoring and evaluation system is urgently needed<br />

German Development <strong>Institut</strong>e 117

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