An internationally renowned organization called 3IE (International Initiative on Impact Evaluation) is in the country to assess government pro poor programmes aimed at alleviating poverty in Fiji.
The Fijian Government currently undertakes pro-poor programmes through seven Ministries namely Squatter Resettlement programmes for Local Government; Dental equipment for sub divisional hospital for Health; National Centre for Small & Micro-enterprise development for Industry, Tourism, Trade & communication; (a)Fiji Groundwater Assessment & development(GRADU) Small Islands & (b) Fiji groundwater assessment & development – main islands; Multi ethnic affairs scholarship for Public Service Commission; Lands & Water resources for Ministry for Land & Water resources management and (a)Tuition fee grant and bus fare subsidy for the Ministry of Education.
3IE conducted a workshop today to determine which of the pro-poor programmes within the seven ministries will be taken up for evaluation.
Deputy Secretary Prime Minister’s office, Nemani Mati said poverty is a serious problem and continues to be a challenge for both the people and the Government despite substantial investments with the aid of development partners in poverty alleviation projects and programs.
In opening the 3IE Impact evaluation workshop today, he assured government’s continued commitment to reducing poverty to a negligible level by 2015 as reflected in the objectives and strategies articulated in the Peoples Charter, the Strategic Framework for change and the Roadmap for Democracy and Sustainable Socio-economic Development 2009-2014.
3IE researchers Matt Morris and Ms Annette Brown and officials from the seven ministries along with other stakeholders involved with pro poor programmes were part of the workshop.
The Prime Minister Office and 3IE jointly conducted an introductory workshop on impact assessment last year with all the senior executives of government ministries.
“Poverty reduction has been a core policy objective of successive governments since Independence, pursued through development plans, annual strategies and annual budgets,” said Mr Mati.
“There is no doubt that there is an urgent need to review and monitor governments pro-poor programs to ensure that government gets value for money it has and will continue to spend, in its efforts to reduce poverty.
“The review needs to be undertaken so that informed policy decision can be made and appropriate strategies developed in order for Government to realize its poverty reduction outcome by 2015.”
-End-