Stringent reforms that were instituted by the Secretary General of the East African Community (EAC), Liberat Mfumukeko, to eliminate wastage on travel expenditures have helped the Secretariat save more $2.75m (UGX 10billion).
Mr. Mfumukeko who took over from Mr. Richard Sezibara at the end of April introduced the reforms early this year, in the Organs and Institutions to help cut cost in the EAC projects and programs as the Secretariat was experiencing financial strain due to delayed contributions by partner states and donors.
“As a result of your strong commitment, passion and dedication to the regional integration agenda, we have witnessed a lot of developments and achievements at individual and corporate levels. We have been able to reduce EAC’s travel expenditure by 28% between May and November 2016, as compared to 23% in the same period in 2015,” Mr. Mfumukeko said.
The travel expenditure during May-November 2015 was $9.9m (UGX36billion) and the same expenditure during May-November 2016 was $7.1m (UGX 26billion) making a saving of approximately $2.75m (UGX 10billion).
The reforms came after Tanzanian president John Magufuli had cautioned the secretariat, during the heads of State Summit in March 2016, on overspending while questioning the rationale of holding the summit at an exclusive resort when the Secretariat boasts of modern conference facilities.
