The Task Force for Rebuilding the Nation (TAFREN) in full page colour press notification has invited proposals from interested parties for inclusion in its 'master plan'. It is hoped that this invitation is serious in spite of the state media ref. 'Daily News' of 13 January 2005 stating that "An overall plan for rebuilding all sectors devastated by the Tsunami disaster will be presented to President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga today, January 13 for her recommendations and observations" in the context of the final date to accept proposals being 'before' 20 January. This is supported by the screaming headline in the 'Daily News' of 18 January 2005 which reads as "President Presents Action Plan for Rebuilding Nation". As to how the task force completed such a daunting, sensitive and responsible task within a timeframe of a mere 10 days since its appointment by the President on 3 January, defies comprehension.
CredentialsThe credentials of the members of TAFREN become particularly critical in the context of the government's proposal to convert TAFREN into a powerful 'Authority' with extensive 'legal powers'.I will not comment at length on the composition of the task force comprising almost wholly of prominent businessmen, except to pose the question as to how a majority of them with essentially a 'commercial' mindset with a poor record in corporate governance with many involved/benefiting immensely under dubious privatizations could suddenly metamorphose into a competent and socially responsible force to 'rebuild the nation'! This is stated with full responsibility and can be amply substantiated. Any contrary views in this connection will be most welcome.
It is noted that at least 5 members of this 10-member Task Force are also members of either the National Council for Economic Development (NCED) to inter alia "facilitate and assist the government in the effective implementation of its policies and development programmes" or the Strategic Enterprises Management Agency (SEMA) to inter alia "facilitate and ensure the efficient management of strategic enterprises in Sri Lanka". Both these agencies together with TAFREN, come directly under the president. Hence, the question of 'time' also becomes an issue.
One would have expected at least the detailed CVs of these persons to have been published in the print media so that the public would have an opportunity to ascertain among others, their competence and any hint of a conflict of interest. An enduring problem is that our media by and large do not subject our business community to the scrutiny it deserves as the 'engine of growth'. On the contrary, it could even be said that some sections are somewhat adulatory of this sector.
PROPOSALS1) Creation of WebsiteStrongly commended for immediate implementation, is the noteworthy recommendation of World Bank President, Mr. James Wolfensohn for the creation of an appropriate website to ensure transparency and accountability for the enormous sums received in unprecedented donor assistance. Nowhere is this more relevant than in the capital intensive and demanding task of reconstruction particularly of infrastructure which is the responsibility of TAFREN. The writer now ventures to expand on this excellent recommendation as follows:
While giving an overall 'Executive Summary' of progress at least every two months for TAFREN as a whole, there should be a host of subsidiary websites not on a cluster basis but on a specific subject basis. For example, the 'cluster' under the individual responsible for Hospitals, Highways and Railways need to have separate websites for each of these subjects. In some instances such as this particular 'cluster', there seems to be an 'overload' of subjects as well. This aspect too needs appropriate attention.
The question arises as to what should go into the specific subject websites. Very broadly, the writer's suggestions are as follows:
Receipts: This is straightforward particularly for TAFREN, which will largely be engaged in capital intensive infrastructure projects, where most of the assistance will be either bilateral (countries) or multilateral (international agencies).
It should amongst others identify:a) Sum / Value- identity and quantity of items received
b) Type of assistance: Loan & its terms / Grant etc. c) Name of donor
d) Contact details
e) Date of receipt
f) Specific area identified for assistance
g) Confirmation of acknowledgement
Expenditure:This will constitute the core of the much required transparency and accountability. The item heads should include:
A) Project Identification:
a) The specific subject area eg. Hospitals, Highways, Railways, Housing, Bridges etc.
b) Within the above category, to further specify- location of specific hospital, railway track, housing, bridge etc.
B) Brief Description of Project
C) Fast Tracked Tender Procedure:
a) Notice of invitation for tenders
b) Names and Credentials of all those having responded together with the value of their respective bids
c) Names of those shortlisted
d) Name of successful tenderer together with brief rationale
e) Links if any direct/indirect with any member of the task force
f) Name of local agent if any
g) Commissions- this is a very 'tricky' area which is at the heart of the canker of corruption. Although ideally, commissions should not be payable for disaster relief and the benefit reflected in a lowering of the cost, the reality is that we are not living in an ideal world! Hence, the best that can be done is to make it known that non-disclosure of party to whom any commission is paid and the sum involved will:
i) nullify the award
ii)be subject to strong punitive action even in the future
Although, multilateral agencies themselves are not immune from charges of corruption and impropriety, they are still the best source we have to advise us on the subject of minimising corruption. It is recommended that TAFREN kindly do so. Unfortunately, Transparency International (TI) and its local Chapter lose their credibility, since they even avoid major public interest concerns such as the ghastly abuse of power reflected in the recent unprecedented multi-Billion Rupee worth blanket package of amnesties granted to affluent and influential lawbreakers for income tax, exchange control, excise and customs violations. In any event, if TI and its local Chapter are to ensure even a vestige of credibility, they should commence posting on their elaborate websites, their own accountability of donor funds received! This applies to other major NGOs as well.
2) North-East ReconstructionIn brief, the fallout from the long festering ethnic conflict and the ensuing military confrontation between the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) and the LTTE have resulted in the following ground realities:
A) The basis of the ceasefire is the military parity between the LTTE and the GOSL.
B) A Spirit of partnership between the GOSL and the LTTE.
C) The LTTE actually controlling vast extents of territory in the North-East in which it has several institutions identified with a state.
In spite of the tsunami disaster and wishful thinking in some sections in the South, the above realities are still very much valid. Under the circumstances, the response of the GOSL and the international community to the humanitarian crisis as a result of the tsunami disaster which is significantly more acute in the North-East, should take these realities into consideration. The process of conflict resolution too demands that this be recognized when embarking on the entire gamut of disaster management which includes reconstruction which comes under the purview of TAFREN. This demands (a) substantial autonomy to the North-East and meaningfully engaging with the LTTE in all aspects of reconstruction (b) a genuine spirit of partnership between the GOSL and the LTTE in responding to the disaster while retaining overall coordination at the centre. The LTTE in turn should fast track its transition to a responsible political organization and be sensitive to the needs and aspirations of the people of the North-East. In this connection, the question arises as to what example the rest of the country gives in good governance? The answer to this question is certainly not flattering!
3) InclusivenessIt is imperative that the entire process of disaster management should be inclusive where it genuinely reflects the concerns of all stakeholders to the extent it is desirable and practical. Under the circumstances, how inclusive is the plan drawn up by TAFREN to 'rebuild the nation'? It is nothing short of tragic and a travesty of justice, that the victims of this tragedy who have been the raison d'être for the outpouring of the unprecedented donor assistance, are being virtually ignored in the 'rebuild the nation' efforts. This will eventually result in a far more serious 'Tsunami'- this time exclusively human induced, with catastrophic social consequences.
4) MediaIt is suggested that on a weekly basis, a page be dedicated in the print media in all three languages to reflect the views of all stakeholders in all areas of disaster management- particularly in the efforts to 'rebuild the nation'. The electronic media too could be employed in this endeavour.
Conclusion It is hoped that TAFREN and the donor community - particularly the UN and the World Bank, will give due consideration to these proposals.
