“The disbursement rate is not satisfactory as there are projects that were started two years ago while the disbursement rate is at 20% and those projects are supposed to be completed in two or three years, “said Domitien Ndihokubwayo, Minister of Finance, during the meeting between the World Bank and government representatives to assess the performance of the World Bank budget allocated to Burundi.
Domitien Ndihokubwayo, Minister of Finance: «We wish to take a step forward in doubling the disbursement rate next year.”
The active World Bank project portfolio for Burundi is US $ 660 million for 15 projects. “15 projects including 10 that are exclusively being carried out in Burundi and 5 others undertaken in other countries of the sub-region including Burundi as well,” said Ndihokubwayo. The World Bank promised to donate this money to Burundi in July 2017.
In the mini-review conference held in January 2018, the Minister of Finance said that project managers committed to improving significantly the execution rate up to 18% by the end of June 2018.
According to Domitien Ndihokubwayo, this lack of budget performance is due to the newly set communication system between project coordinators and the World Bank regarding the awarding of contracts. “Those who implement projects are not yet used to this system. They must first learn how to use it, “he said adding that” they wish to take a step forward in doubling the disbursement rate next year. ”
He calls on the World Bank to increase the portfolio allocated to Burundi arguing that the country faces many challenges including the lack of resources.
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