Audit of forestry planning and development project in Pakistan, project no. 391-0481

Audit covers the period 8/83 to 7/87 and is based on site visits, document review and interviews with USAID/P, Government of Pakistan (GOP), and project personnel, TA contractors, and project participants. The project is more than 2 years behind schedule due to inadequacies in two major programmatic areas. First, per requirements in A.I.D. Handbook 3, quantifiable indicators were needed to measure project achievements. USAID/Pakistan did not have the required quantifiable indicators and revisions thereto, and did not prepare adequate management reports to measure progress toward the project objectives. This occurred because USAID/Pakistan did not: (1) effectively coordinate with the Government of Pakistan (GOP) to establish or agree on targets and time frames to measure project progress; (2) revise implementation plans and budgets even though project implementation was delayed more than 2 years; and (3) ensure its management reports provided all data necessary to measure progress. As a result, USAID/Pakistan and the GOP did not have complete information to identify project achievements and to determine what could be accomplished within the remaining time and budget. Second, the GOP was required by the project agreement to provide funds and staffing to carry out the project effectively and in a timely manner. The GOP was also required to carry out a project monitoring program and report results to USAID/Pakistan. The TA contract required the contractor to prepare quarterly progress reports discussing project achievements and problems. Notwithstanding these requirements, neither the GOP nor the TA contractor fulfilled their project commitments. This occurred because USAID/Pakistan did not provide the necessary direction and ensure compliance. The failure to meet these commitments: (1) resulted in a loss of economic benefits to the GOP and the people of Pakistan, and the inefficient use of project resources; and (2) impaired USAID/Pakistan"s ability to assess project implementation problems and to take timely corrective action. It is recommended that USAID/Pakistan establish quantifiable indicators and take actions to ensure the GOP and the TA contractor fulfill their project commitments. USAID/Pakistan agreed with both recommendations but, in the former case, disagreed with the recommendation to improve its management reports. (Author abstract, modified)