World Bank states its commitment<\/p>\n
We agree with the broad views expressed by Nila Ardhianie in
\nthe April 8 edition of The Jakarta Post on the importance of
\nimproved monitoring and participation to ensure the best use of
\ndevelopment assistance. And we remain committed to seeking new
\nand innovative ways to strengthen monitoring and supervision of
\nbank projects and programs designed to help the poor of
\nIndonesia.<\/p>\n
I am also writing to express my appreciation to groups such as
\nthe Yayasan Duta Awam for getting involved in the monitoring and
\nassessment of development programs.<\/p>\n
Duta Awam first presented us with the results of their survey
\nof farmers in October 1998, at which time we attended workshops
\nto discuss the findings. The survey highlighted a number of
\nissues that our own supervision reviews had begun to reveal and
\nrespond to regarding problems with civil works, supply of
\nagricultural input and mismanagement of the capital revolving
\nfunds.<\/p>\n
It also brought to our attention for the first time additional
\nproblems with inadequate community participation and pesticide
\nuse. Our subsequent supervision in February substantiated some of
\nthe survey's results, while finding that other findings were
\noutside the project area or have since been remedied.<\/p>\n
Project management, with collaborative input from Duta Awam,
\nis also undertaking a fact-finding survey to establish a firm
\nbasis for correcting the ongoing problems, better evaluate the
\nstatus and impact of project works and ensure a successful
\noutcome to this program.<\/p>\n
Corruption, leakage of funds, money failing to reach targeted
\nbeneficiaries -- all of these are important issues that we, as an
\ninternational financial institution, must tackle. We have been
\nworking for some time now to reduce opportunities for corruption
\nassociated with projects we help to finance, and have sought to
\nincrease the participation of non-governmental organizations, the
\nmedia and others in project design, monitoring, and
\nimplementation, while tightening our own supervision and
\noperational processes.<\/p>\n
We have tried to address \"collusion, corruption, and nepotism\"
\n(KKN) problems as directly as possible through the conditions
\nattached to financing we have provided during the economic
\ncrisis, and we intend to continue doing so.<\/p>\n
Specifically, we are working with the government to improve
\nthe functioning of the social safety net program by greatly
\nincreasing transparency and the role of communities themselves in
\nthe planning and monitoring of programs. In related efforts we
\nhave helped to develop what is known as the Social Monitoring and
\nEarly Response Unit (SMERU), which monitors the impact of the
\ncrisis on the poor as well as the effectiveness of social safety
\nnet programs in urban and rural areas.<\/p>\n
Is this enough? Are we satisfied? The answer is \"no,\" or
\nperhaps more specifically belum (not yet).<\/p>\n
Reducing corruption is a huge task that will need the best
\nefforts of all stakeholders and this means government, media,
\nNGOs, community groups, project beneficiaries.<\/p>\n
MARK BAIRD<\/p>\n
World Bank<\/p>\n
Country Director, Indonesia<\/p>\n
East Asia and Pacific Region<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/world-bank-states-its-commitment-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }