KAMPALA, June 22 (Xinhua) -- The World Bank has approved a credit of 70 million U.S. dollars to support the comprehensive public service reforms in Uganda.

    Denyse Morin, the bank's senior public sector specialist, was quoted by New Vision on Thursday, as saying the International Development Association (IDA) credit will make the public service affordable, efficient and accountable.

    "Strengthening the public service is critical to improving efficiency, effectiveness and accountability in the use of public resources.

    "In turn, it improves public service delivery to support Uganda's Poverty Eradication Action Plan (PEAP)," Morin said in a statement issued in Washington earlier this week.

    Morin said the Uganda Public Service Performance Enhancement Project (UPSPEP) is also expected to support improvement in the policy, institutional and regulatory environment for sustainable growth and service delivery.

    The first component of the project worth 15 million dollars will support the implementation of the government's Public Service Reform Program (PSRP) through a sector-wide approach program (SWAp).

    Morin, who is also the task team leader for the project, said the second component of the UPSPEP will support performance enhancement initiatives on a demand-driven basis through a performance enhancement facility (PEF).

    "IDA is committing 55 million dollars to this facility. Requests for funding from the PEF will be clearly linked to each ministry, department or agency's performance improvement plan, leading to better service delivery. Potential beneficiaries must also demonstrate their commitment to organizational transformation," Morin said.

    The World Bank said an effective public service would contribute to the Ugandan government's effort to improve governance and fight corruption in the east African country. Enditem