[kictanet] [Skunkworks] Examples Open Data in New York

[aki]

@Andrea, much thanks for the input, its a great way to look at the analysis
of data. :-)

Some general comments:

-I'm sure many are as keen as some of us to get the datasets from the Open
data initiaitve, and especially dealing with debt issues. I see no point in
comparing the dataset usage to creating a better parking system when we have
even more unique issues to address at root level. We will leave "parking
lot" datasets for the board-room display presentations and those looking for
VC funds to finance their mobile dreams. My request to those developing
using the datasets should try and have a national outlook of their
applications and usage because it matters that we have a national impact
with such data.

- On the whether future governments being ceremonial/caretakers of
international funds, I believe this is essentially very necessary. For
decades, all developing countries have shown data that the funds rarely get
used for intended purposes, whether high level or low level. If we are able
to move the process to parliament with an anti-corruption authority as a
process watcher, I think we will then have transparency and implementations
that will have far reaching development results. Kenyans choose what
matters, not govt nor individual politicians. The closed door activities
system just has not worked, not here nor in other developing countries.

Over to the IMF, World Bank, Donor Community, KICTB and the rest to share
and compliment the Open Data Initiative with data that matters. We need it
as much as being the first african country to go with the initiative.

Rgds.





On Wed, Jul 13, 2011 at 10:21 AM, Andrea Bohnstedt <
andrea.bohnstedt at ratio-magazine.com> wrote:

> Aki, I think it'd be a great idea to include debt data in the open data
> initiative - the more transparency on that issue the better. This is very
> obvious, but actually not very easy to do:
>
>    - Debt data are surprisingly difficult to get accurate, and the IMF
>    (with probably the best outside access to such data), when engaging with a
>    country, often spent a lot of time and effort trying to sort these out.
>    You're dealing with different currencies, different terms, and debt is
>    incurred on different levels - it can be incurred by government directly or
>    by parastatals, for example.
>    - Also, not everything the World Bank and other donors finance will
>    necessarily have to be debt - some of it is, and some of it is a grant.
>    Bilateral aid agencies often provide grants (which is, strictly speaking,
>    where the term donor comes from - it's a donation). Some loans are tied to
>    purchases from the lending country. That can be hardware, or consulting
>    inputs.
>    - So donors aren't responsible for all government debt, and similarly,
>    you want to look out for funds that government borrows from non-donor
>    sources on commercial terms - that's usually more expensive.
>    - Classified information is more difficult to fit into this: security
>    sector procurement, for example, is classified, and so that throws a cover
>    over related borrowing as well - remember the rather costly AngloLeasing
>    mess.
>    - You need to compute the different debt write off initiatives.
>    - Finally, look out for domestic debt. That's an increasingly large
>    share in many African countries.
>
> Regarding the use of debt: No, I don't think it's a good idea to put each
> and every loan to a public vote and government should only play a ceremonial
> role. That's the whole point of democracy and having a government: It's
> elected to take care of national matters - including public finance
> management and national borrowing. President Kibaki was elected to appoint
> the finance minister, and the finance minister's role is to manage this. The
> new constitution includes clauses for devolution and I believe counties can
> borrow as well, so in principle, this will bring public finance decisions
> down a level.
>
> Have a good day,
> Andrea
>
>
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