Towards the end of the 2008, the UNDP had completed and submitted a comprehensive needs assessment of the OEK to its presiding officers.
The LNA was a result of Palau’s interest in being involved in the UNDP’s parliamentary support program in 2008-2012 cycle.A statement from the OEK said that the LNA suggests program options and there were over 40 recommendations.The recommendations’ goals are to recommend outcomes that can improve the efficiency and effectiveness in the OEK “in its legislative, oversight and representative functions.”Both houses of Congress have formed a working group to move the process forward.The statement added that the group has since met with the UNDP representative and staff to review the LNA by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Delegates.It also noted that an endorsement of the LNA by the Senate President and House Speaker was a necessary step in the implementation.The statement said that once the joint endorsement is secured, the UNDP project proposal to implement the LNA will proceed.Among the recommendations of the LNA is to include the establishment of a well budgeted, well staffed and well stocked congressional library within the OEK building at Ngerulmud.The other recommendations is an efficient and effective information technology service which includes wireless access to internet within the OEK and a secure intranet service with a remote access capacity, the hardware and software requirements and a dedicated staff with appropriate qualifications.Another recommendation is the various training needs for OEK staff to upgrade and improve their performances and quality of services the OEK provide to the society.The UNDP also suggested a training in lawmaking for OEK members to increase their knowledge on budget and financial matters.It also stated that many recommendations are aimed at capacity building for staff members in various technical, clerical and administrative functions and responsibilities for improvement.It also noted that not all the recommendations in the LNA are new, some are only common practice that needs to be reevaluated.The statement from the OEK said that in the House of Delegates the process of identifying human resource needs for the House has been underway for some time.
