Speakers at a view exchange meeting yesterday emphasised accountability and transparency in the activities of non-governmental organisations and coordination between NGO activists and government officials to ensure good governance in the NGO sector.
NGO Affairs Bureau organised the meeting on 'Problem of Good Governance in NGO Sector: The Way Forward' at Barisal Circuit House in cooperation with Brac, Manusher Jonno, Oxfam and Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB).
NGOs are playing role in changing the society but they have to face many challenges including government interference, delay in releasing fund, threat from terrorists, political pressure, bribery in NGO Affairs Bureau, lack of resources, accountability, transparency and good governance, TIB research fellow Shadhan Kumar Das said in his paper presented at the meeting.
The bureau released Tk 1,561.90 crore in the fiscal year 2004-05 while Tk 1,980.91 crore in 2005-06, Tk 2258.29 crore in 2006-07, Tk 3661.80 crore in 2007-08 and Tk 3403.31 crore in 2008-09, NGO Affairs Bureau Assistant Director Pranab Kumar Ghosh said.
Close coordination between the NGOs and the government is needed to ensure good governance in NGO sector that is now working as partner of the government in development process, NGO Affairs Bureau Director General Mushtaq Hasan Muhammad Iftikhar said in his speech as the chief guest at the meeting.
During the open discursion session, speakers suggested taking necessary steps to ensure accountability and transparency in the NGO sector, especially in implementing projects.
TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman moderated the meeting.
Government officials, TIB office-bearers and NGO leaders from six districts of Barisal division attended the meeting chaired by Barisal Deputy Commissioner Mashiur Rahman.