29 NOVEMBER 2019
MYANMAR is currently taking energetic steps out of decades of underdevelopment. With the democratic strength of the people, their representatives in parliament, and the government, they are implementing development activities and projects with increased momentum.
Every state, region and government department has to design projects that bring about the maximum benefit to the nation and yields the highest quality in its results. All these processes make use of the national budget, which is composed of money from taxpayers. Here, officials have to be wary of misappropriation and wastage of public funds.
This is why government departments, regardless of the nature of their work, are required to operate on a transparent open tender system when vast sums of money are involved. They have to invite private companies that can deliver the desired quality of the work involved in the designated period of time.
This process used to be heavily corrupted when officials from long ago passed the tender to close associates or their own kin and to companies passing the highest bribery. The misuse and loss of public funds is historical. The extravagant wealth of those in authority and even some of the decision makers in these tasks were the evidence to the corruption rampant there.
Hence, it is extremely satisfying and a relief to learn that the government is working hard to implement an effectively transparent open tender system and to do away with the old corrupted procedures. In fact, the series of serious policies concerning public funds have significantly dropped the misappropriation of taxpayer’s money.
It is our opinion that policies focusing on ensuring public funds are used to maximum efficiency are more suitable than those aiming to reduce their loss. The idea behind this is that in trying to prevent loss of public funds, officials may decide on cheaper options that do meet the necessary standard for the job. Thus, deterioration due to insufficient quality will need repairs and maintenance that actually spends more public funds.
Reducing expenditure does not mean the result will always be better. If we had spent the required amount to ensure the work entails the best quality, then it will not result in unnecessary repairs and will actually save the national budget in the long-run in the form of sustainable investments.
We urge those in authority to consider these facts when they discuss the use of taxpayer’s money. Spending less may not always be the answer, but spending the needed amount will ensure there are no losses to the nation.
THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
