Climate Resilience Execution Agency (CREAD) to ensure transparent & accountable use of donor funds

​The Government of Dominica promises to establish an agency named Climate Resilience Execution Agency of Dominica (CREAD), purportedly to ensure the highest level of transparency and accountability, in the use of the Donor funds pledged to assist Dominica in its efforts to reconstruct in a climate resilient way, after the ravages of Hurricane Maria. Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit made that promise while speaking at the CARICOM-UN High-level Pledging Conference in New York this week.
 
Mr Skerrit explained that “The mission of the agency will be to coordinate all reconstruction work to avoid duplication, maximize economies of scale, spot and fill critical gaps, avoid bureaucratic infighting and ensure all reconstruction activities are focused on a single Climate Resilient Recovery Plan, developed by Dominica and its partners”.
 
Skerrit further stated that his Government sees transparency and proper financial management as extremely important, and “CREAD will be required to operate to the highest standards of transparency and financial management, as well as accountability and community engagement.” He said there will be a role for external audits at CREAD.
 
He added that “The agency will own the reconstruction targets and through new powers given to it by parliament, proscribed in scope and time, would have the ability to step in to improve delivery, where those targets are slipping. CREAD will be on a continuous emergency footing. New projects will come first to CREAD’s coordination war room. CREAD will ensure they fit into the Climate Resilient Recovery Plan, and there is coordination with, and leveraging of other projects. CREAD and donors will decide where the project is best delivered, whether from line Ministries, partnerships between CREAD and the donor, or by CREAD itself. CREAD will centralize scarce procurement skills and would be a one-stop shop for licensing and permitting.”
 
He said a parliamentary committee will be established, to provide oversight of CREAD. He added that “It is also anticipated that the Chief Executive Officer of CREAD will be required to report to Parliament on a regular basis.” Skerrit said the new agency will cost about $3.5Million per year to operate.