The World Bank has promised to accelerate and improve its capacity to manage funds for development in Southern Sudan while recognizing that the institution is not satisfied with its performance in the region.
Earlier in the week the Joint Donors Team complained that in five years the World Bank was able to spend only one third of the funds made available for reconstruction and development in Southern Sudan.A World Bank high level delegation was in the region until today to evaluate the situation, talk with government officials and NGO partners and to find ways to accelerate its performance with the trust funds.
Ken Ohashi, World Bank Country Director for Ethiopia and Sudan, told journalists before leaving Juba that the institution tries to balance between spending money in development projects while making sure the funds are used properly taking into account government priorities.
Mr. Ohashi added that the development programme of Southern Sudan will not end in 2011 but will continue beyond the referendum on self-determination.
He added however that nothing has been agreed yet on post-referendum period.
Joseph Saba, co-leader of the World Bank mission, added that the Bank has made substantial efforts to accelerate its performance reducing the time between the approval of projects and their starting.
Mr. Saba added that the World Bank is also involved in building capacity among GoSS officials to avoid wasting of funds.
The World Bank delegation was in South Sudan for almost two weeks and its final report is expected soon.