US Envoy Mark Green, speaking about the USD 698 million Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact that will be signed early next year, has cautioned that ``the wedding is easy, the marriage hard.``
The envoy made the remarks in a website chat that took place yesterday.
He said: "What I have underscored to people about the Compact signing ceremony and the implementation of the Compact is that ``the wedding is easy; the marriage is hard."
``The MCC Compact is not just a grant. It is a substantial agreement between the American people and the Tanzanian people. The Compact also calls for a renewed emphasis on transparency and fighting corruption.
Some of those requirements will result in significant changes in governing,� the ambassador said.
Answering a question on aid money not reaching the targeted persons, and its embezzlement by corrupt leaders, Green said: "I understand your concern.
In fact, it is a concern shared not only by the U.S., but other donors as well. Most donors are meeting this week at Karimjee Hall to discuss more transparency in the general budget support (GBS)."
He said the MCC Compact was a new way of supporting the Tanzanian government ``and we do so in partnership.`` The envoy said that companies would have to openly bid on projects and would be awarded contracts in a transparent manner.
He said the MCC Compact was a significant amount of money: USD 698 million over 5 years. ``In fact, it is the largest MCC Compact to be approved to date.
The funds will be used to finance projects proposed by the Government of Tanzania,`` Green said.
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