EALA Members commence week-long programme on MTEF, Auditing Process

East African Legislative Assembly, Arusha, March 19, 2018: Legislators this morning commenced on a week-long capacity programme on the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) Budgeting and auditing process in Arusha.

The Chairperson of the Committee on General Purpose, Hon Abdikadir Aden opened the meeting on behalf of the Speaker, Rt Hon Ngoga Karoli Martin.

Hon Aden urged the legislators to ensure Accountability of all resources of the Community is realized and continues to be a priority in the scheme of things.   “This is perhaps one of the areas we must put our total sight, fingers and focus on.  As the oversight body of the EAC, we should be able to ensure the entire Community is absolutely accountable to the citizens of EAC”, he said, while challenging the Assembly to be self-introspective as well.

“This capacity building workshop therefore presents an opportune moment for us to be able to harness understanding of the technical workings of the EAC MTEF budgeting and to comprehend processes that go on in the auditing processes”, he added.

“The MTEF allocates resources based on the priorities and ensures that these apportionments are consistent with the objectives of the organization. From the onset therefore, the MTEF seems to be a good model for planning and implementation of activities of the Community”, Hon Aden said.

In his presentation entitled; MTEF Implementation: Case Study of the EAC Partner States; History, Process and Coverage, Success, Challenges and Lessons Learnt, Lead Consultant, Michael Baingana said there were several paradigms on the role of Parliament in the budgetary process while maintaining that of key importance is total Parliamentary involvement to ensure executive accountability which leads to a judicious use of public funds. He urged EALA Members to strive to understand the complex and technical issues and processes involved in the MTEF so as to play a substantive role in the process.

Other key presentations expected during the week include review of the current EAC Budgeting process cycle and the attendant challenges as well as consideration of the gaps in the EAC Budget Act 2008, that shall be presented by the Director of Finance of the EAC and another by the Chairperson of the Audit Commission on fraud and irregularities and risk in the public sector.

Presentation on the current EAC Budgeting process (cycle); identify challenges faced;

Consideration of Gaps in the EAC Budget Act, 2008

The MTEF is a three year integrated, policy-based and performance oriented budgeting process consistent with macro-economic forecasts (inflation and growth) and medium term policy measures.  The MTEF involves top-down and bottom-up interaction while connecting available resources and priorities of government

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Bobi Odiko,

Senior Public Relations Officer;

East African Legislative Assembly;

Tel: +255-27-2508240 Cell: +255 787 870945+254-733-718036;

Email: bodiko@eachq.org,

www.eala.org