Preparation, competent workforce holds key

KATHMANDU, July 3: Nepal has received encouraging support from different bilateral and multilateral donors for reconstruction. Donors pledged US$ 4.4 billion for reconstruction works in the recently held International Conference for Nepal's Reconstruction (ICNR). All eyes will now be on implementation of reconstruction projects.

The government has already laid out legal grounds to set up National Reconstruction Authority. The proposed body will have the legal teeth to implement reconstruction projects in a fast track mode. The authority, however, is yet to get full shape and it may take some time appoint key officials including CEO. But the important task is to prepare detailed plans and programs for reconstruction, arrange skilled workforce for reconstruction works, and hold election for local bodies at the earliest. Delay in preparation of projects and programs is blamed for low spending or spending in the eleventh hour which affects quality of work.

Average development spending hovers around 80 percent in the last five years. Similarly, over 70 percent of such spending is concentrated in the last trimester of the current fiscal year. Officials say if similar performance is repeated in reconstruction works, donors, who generously pledged support for Nepal, will be disappointed.
The government has earmarked Rs 222 billion for capital spending, including reconstruction works, in fiscal year 2015/16. It had allocated Rs 116 billion for development expenditure in the last fiscal year.

FAST TRACK MODE

The reconstruction authority, led by Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, has been given sweeping powers to implement reconstruction works in fast track mode. To address delay in preparatory phase, the authority can devise own guidelines for reconstruction works particularly on land acquisition, land registration, public procurement and environment studies, among others. Existing laws won't be applicable to the authority.

A committee led by Raju Man Singh Malla, secretary of the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Minister (OPMCM), has already started a study to suggest the government on amendment to existing laws.

Experts have welcomed the decision to make amendment to existing laws for expediting project preparation and procurement process. Former vice chairman of National Planning Commission (NPC) Dipendra Bahadur Chhetri welcomed the decision to make amendment to procurement and land acquisition laws to expedite reconstruction works.

PROJECT PREPARATION

Chandra Mani Adhikari, member of National Planning Commission (NPC), said it will take at least six to eight months to start reconstruction works as preparatory phase will take some time.

Though the government has already prepared Post Disaster Need Assessment (PDNA) report, officials say detailed study of damages should be carried out to devise strategies and programs for reconstruction.

Donors are also concerned with project preparation works. They are keenly watching how Nepal will use their support in reconstruction works. They have stressed on the importance of capacity development of implementing agencies, especially on project preparation and execution. Actual disbursement of foreign aid by donors has remained low compared to commitments because of delay in project implementation. They fear similar delay in implementation might lead to low disbursement again if necessary interventions are not taken in time.

WORKFORCE

Workforce -- both at the planning level and grassroots level in affected VDCs -- is the most important aspects of reconstruction works. Experts have already drawn the attention of the government that it would be difficult to achieve expected outcomes with the same working style and mindset. They have suggested to the government to appoint competent people at the implementing level.

The government is appointing a CEO to head the National Reconstruction Authority. The CEO will be appointed by the cabinet for a five-year term. As the appointed is to be made by the cabinet, many doubt the CEO will be from non-political background.

Chhetri said the Prime Minister cannot give sufficient time for the authority. "I personally think youth leaders should be given the leadership of the authority. They will be tried and tested. They make take up the challenge to prove their worth," Chhetri said, adding that independent experts can also be appointed in the team.

He, however, said the powerful authority alone will not be able to deliver unless working style of implementing agencies at the local level is changed.

Meanwhile, Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development (MoFALD) is preparing a plant to build capacity of government employees at district and VDC level. Similarly, it plans to send section officers in every VDCs in affected districts which have more than 1,000 households. For that, it is already conducting Organization and Management (O&M) study. Likewise, the ministry is also planning to send an accountant as well as an engineer and an overseer in those VDCs. At present, second class non-gazetted officers (Kharidar) are leading VDCs as election for local bodies has not been held in the past two decades.

Officials say they will see shortage of skilled workforce for reconstruction of individual homes as well as public infrastructures. To address the problem, the government has floated a plan to prepare technical manpower for reconstruction. For this, it is organizing special training programs. Similarly, it is adding also adding a chapter on increasing spending in curriculum of training given to government employees.

After facing difficulty in rescue and relief missions in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake due to absence of local bodies, the government has kept election for local bodies in its priority list. Preparations are on to hold local body elections within a year.

NPC Member Adhikari said elected local bodies would be crucial for effective reconstruction works. "As elected local bodies are accountable to the people, reconstruction works will be effective if they are overseen by local bodies rather than VDC secretaries and chief of municipalities," he added.


Source: Republica