ISLAMABAD, Sept 29: The government has decided to strengthen the system of implementation and monitoring of development projects to ensure transparency and better use of funds, says a senior government official.

“Implementation and monitoring are very serious issues which warrant full attention of the government to ensure timely completion of development projects as well as to make sure that there is no misuse of funds,” said Dr Akram Sheikh, Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission.

Talking to Dawn here on Thursday, he said that competent and honest people were being hired by the commission, including from the private sector, to help improve the implementation and monitoring of the development projects.

Initially, he said two highly professional experts had been hired to work in the Planning Commission to have strict project implementation and monitoring. Dr Asad and Dr Shaukat Hamid, who have vast experience of working both in and outside the country, will assist the commission in improving its project implementation, he adds.

“The government is spending billions of rupees on the development projects and if there is no proper implementation and monitoring then I am afraid to say that we are not doing any service to the nation,” the Planning Commission deputy chairman said.

Responding to a question, he said all the secretaries concerned of the federal government had been directed to take the “ownership” of the development projects with a view to ensuring transparency at all stages of the projects.

The purpose, he pointed out, was to impart training to all the people concerned about the existing and new development projects in order to save time and money.

In reply to another question, Dr Sheikh said the governance reforms had been initiated to ensure that government departments and organizations became more efficient and responsive to the people. Reforms in financial reporting and auditing have been undertaken by the government.

“We expect that the successful implementation of these activities would result in improving governance and growth-related indicators in the country,” he added.

He said that central message of a paradigm shift for rapid and sustainable growth remained unchanged. In fact the record GDP growth of 8.35 per cent in 2004-05 made the shift even more imperative. Growth rate of 7-8 per cent, the main objectives of the Medium Term Development Framework 2005-10, cannot be achieved without ensuring strict monitoring and evaluation of the development projects, Dr Sheikh observed.