The decentralization reform advanced in a number of areas, while in others lags behind, said Mihai Roscovan, expert in local administration. After a meeting of the parity commission at the Government, the expert has told IPN that the necessary institutional framework exists, but the reform should be implemented at a higher pace. “It’s not easy to do the reform as it is a multi-sector one. However, Moldova made progress. It has s strategy and knows where it goes. The most important thing is for the changes to be felt by the people and they enjoy services of a higher quality,” said Mihai Roscovan.
The methodology for assessing the capacity of the local public administration that was proposed by the Government and discussed in the meeting caused reactions on the part of the local administration bodies. “The local authorities probably have something to hide. The Government wants to know what the capacities are and to make an assessment, based on which to adjust the policies,” stated Mihai Roscovan.
Viorel Furdui, executive director of the Congress of Local Authorities of Moldova (CALM), has told IPN that the representatives of the local authorities were disappointed by the meeting held at the Government as it became obvious that this communication platform does not enable to hold solid discussions. “The subjects were discussed superficially. The communication format between the local administration and the central one should be changed so as to discuss such problems as the local public finances and the public acquisition process in detail. The local authorities have to buy goods of a poor quality because of the system,” he said, adding that the local administration’s capacity cannot be assessed until things didn’t change.
The drafting of the methodology for assessing the capacity of the local public administration was decided by a law adopted in 2006. The methodology is now tested on the ground and is to be approved by the Government.
