HARARE - The World Bank has clarified Zanu (PF) propaganda that civil servants hired to assist the government were actually consultants meant to benefit the entire inclusive government.In a statement, the World Bank revealed that in February, 2009, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai requested the Zimbabwe Multi Donor Trust Fund, to consider placement of qualified policy and programme specialists in key government agencies to assist with the collection and analysis of data which can provide sound policy options for ministers, permanent secretaries and stake holders to consider.
The bank said it decided to respond favourably following a meeting in March to provide technical assistance to ministries.
These were going to be recruited either locally or internationally through a competitive process.
Zanu (PF)-led ministries appear to have boycotted the process in a bid to thwart the inclusive government.
Ministries may request Technical Assistance via the Ministry of Finance to the Multi Donor Trust Fund through the submission of Terms of Reference. These must specify deliverables, which the consultant has to produce, usually study reports, to assist the client with their work, reads the World Bank statement.
The World Bank also indicated that the technical assistance would be provided by short term contract workers and not full time civil servants as claimed in the Zanu (PF) propaganda machinery.
The World Bank procedures stipulate that contracts are of a short term nature for a maximum of 150 days per fiscal year and consultant. The World Bank does not offer open-ended contracts, nor does it pay salaries for government officials in line with international agreements.
In a bid to portray the main MDC as running a parallel government, especially the Office of the Prime Minister, Zanu (PF) has employed Jonathan Moyo as the cheer leader of the false accusations.
Analysts told this newspaper that the methods employed by the Prime Minister were the latest global trends in governance.
All progressive governments or politicians hire consultants who work as think tanks to provide direction in policy formulation and implementation. If politicians in government realise that there is need to augment capacity, it is only proper that they increase capacity by hiring consultants, said a Harare-based analyst.
Post published in: News