Migori County Assembly today upscaled their oversight role by adopting the report of the Joint Committee of Liaison, Ward Development Fund, Implementation and Finance Committees on the implementation status of community projects for the Financial Year 2019/2020.
The Joint committee was established pursuant to resolution of the House on 19th Feb, 2020, following a motion certified and moved before the House by Hon. George Omamba (North Kanyamkago) under Standing order No. 31 that sought to discuss an urgent matter of County Importance.
By invoking Provisions of Article 195 (1)(2)(a) and (b) of the constitution of Kenya 2010, The committee chaired by four Chairpersons namely: Hon. David Mathews Chacha( Liaison), Hon. Susan Mohabe (Ward Development Fund), Hon. Johnson Willys Oloo (Finance) , and Hon Bonface Oremo (Implementation) sought to enforce the attendance of senior officers from the departments of:
i) Finance and Economic Planning
ii) Health Services
iii)Trade, Tourism and Cooperative Development
iv) Water and Energy
v) Transport and Public Works
vi)Education, Sports Culture and Community Services.
The Committees’ mandate was to establish whether or not the Community projects as were appropriated in the F/Y 2019/20 had been implemented and whether such implementation took minimum time necessary.
These were the Committee Observations:
a) The committee observed that, no community project had been initiated despite the fact that, the financial year was already in the 3rd Quarter. However, some of the appropriated Community projects are being undertaken in this 4th Quarter.
b) The Finance and Economic Planning department does not disburse funds to facilitate the full implementation of the Community Projects based on departmental work plans.
c) It takes a longer period after the budget estimates have been approved for the departments to commence procurement process.
d) Pending bills form a major problem in the realization of Development activities since they have not been fully settled as directed by the national Treasury.
e) There is underestimation of projects costs by departments.
The committee therefore recommends the following:
- All Community projects earmarked to be implemented within the FY 2019/2020 should be completed before the end of the Financial Year.
- The entire fund appropriated for community projects should always be disbursed in time upon receipt of departmental requisitions.
- Respective department should complete the procurement process in the 1st Quarter once the budget estimates are approved.
- The Finance and Economic Planning department should ensure approval of procurement plans as submitted by respective departments within the 1st quarter of a Financial Year.
- All departments should strive to complete project within the appropriated Financial Year to avoid roll-overs of the projects.
- Respective departments should be held responsible for projects that are not completed at the elapse of Financial Year in which they were appropriated.
- There should be strict adherence to time line of project implementation.
- There should be consultations between the departments and hon. members regarding allocation of funds to projects.
While replying to the motion, Hon. Timon Mbogo (North Sakwa) who moved the report applauded hon. members for the mature way of debate and for being objective I their deliberations.
