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$400K provided for CNMI’s financial management
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Posted on Nov 19 1999
The government has received some $393,500 in federal grants for the initial phase of implementation of a financial management program intended to improve efficiency, enhance employee productivity and maximize taxpayers’ dollars in the public sector.
Dan Nielsen, implementation leader of the Financial Management Improvement Plan or FMIP, said the money will be used to meet the needs of key departments and agencies under the program adopted by the Tenorio administration last year.
From the total amount, $100,000 in technical assistance will be seat aside for the Public School System to train its own staff in maximizing the utilization of the financial management system.
An equal amount will also be earmarked for the Commonwealth Health Center to develop a comprehensive hospital information system. Since the old system has resulted to significant loss of revenues for the CNMI, CHC will conduct a need analysis to determine what its system requirements are.
About $101,000 likewise will be allotted for the financial management system roll out; $30,000 for the development of desk manuals for the Division of Procurement and Supply; and $37,500 to roll out the JD Edwards system to all the departments aimed at integrating management of government finances.
As requested by the governor, about $25,000 from the federal funds with 50 percent local match will be provided for the management cost of implementing the system over a two-year period.
The Office of Insular Affairs, which made the grants possible, has prioritized FMIP implementation, appropriating about $1.4 million for such activities, according to a news release.
“OIA will provide FMIP funds to insular areas that have progressed the most in this area. The CNMI has been the most progressive out of all the insular areas,” it said.
The governor has said that effective implementation of the FMIP will have direct impact on his administration’s ability to sustain financial stability to ensure delivery of public services consistent with standards of high quality of performance. (BS)
