News

Bikash Ko Bato
by: RAP 3      on: 15th Feb, 2019

Episode: 26                                        Broadcast: 17, 18 and 19 February 2019

Issue: Public Hearing discussion (Kalikot, Jumla and Dailekh)

 

 In this episode of Bikash ko Bato, the first phase of Public Hearings in Kalikot, Jumla and Dialekh is broadcasted. These public hearings were conducted last December and involved local citizens, local representatives and other stakeholders. The program starts with a public hearing in Kalikot held in Raskot Municipality with the involvement of the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Chief Administrative Officer, dalit member and Chairpersons of different wards the Municipality. Issues discussed included rural road improvement, hydropower, safe drinking water, agriculture, youth employment digital technology for education, womens’ development programme and the establishment of a community hospital. Likewise, in the radio discussions in Guthichaur Rural Municipality, Jumla , and in Dullu Municipality Dailekh similar issues raised as well as dalit oriented programmes, good governance and marginalized communities.

RMG Orientation Training, Jumla
by: RAP 3      on: 13th Feb, 2019

A one day RMG Orientation/Refresher course has been conducted successfully by the IDO Jumla to all the RMGs of Jumla on 11 February 2019 at Jumla headquarters. RAP3 staff at the cluster office Jumla actively participated and facilitated the programme. Out of 12 RMG groups working in 9 DRCNs of Jumla, 10 groups presented themselves at the Refresher Programme. Agreement has been signed between the IDO, Jumla & RMGs groups. The agreement period is for 5 months (till end of Asar 2076). As per the agreement, RMGs will initiate the works at their respective road corridors from 1st of Falgun 2075 (13 February 2019). The remaining 2 RMG groups are not in contact but Agreement with them will be signed during a field visit, most probably within this week.

MHLR RBGs mobilised in Upper Bama
by: RAP 3      on: 13th Feb, 2019

Mugu Humla Link Road (MHLR) field team has recently mobilised the remaining 11 Road Building Groups (RBGs) of Pandhara Local Road User Committee (LRUCs) in Upper Bama section as of the 6th Feb, 2019.  Two members from each group of the 11 newly formed RBGs were given orientation in the RAP3 MHLR approach and standards.  This includes working modality, payment procedures, insurance policy and RBGs roles and responsibilities.  They were also briefed on workers safety and the correct use of safety gears, tools, construction materials and first aid kits at work site. Previously, 13 RBGs in Rugha-Masta, 13 RBGs in Luma-Gurudev, and 15 RBGs in Bama-Gairigaun were mobilised for construction work. Roadside communities who had expressed an interest to join a road building group from the settlements between Rugha, Luma, Bama, and Darkhe Khola are now part of the project. This makes it a total of 52 groups, made up of 1020 RBG members (Male-574 and female-466) covered from Rugha to Dharke Khola settlement.  The road construction work is being carried out by 45% of women in total.

Joint visit of DFO to MHLR corridor
by: RAP 3      on: 13th Feb, 2019

Divisional Forest officer, Mr Bharat Thapa along with his two officers visited Gamgadhi to Darke Khola road section (28km) of Mugu Humla Link road on 6th February 2019. They observed on the progress on road construction but to also assess the current situation with regards to trees prior to any work starting on the removal of trees for this project. MHLR district team discussed with DFO regarding stamping of trees to be felled that falls in the road corridor, its management and handover to district forest office or concerned community forest. DFO, Mugu is positive with forest clearance required for the construction of Mugu Humla Link Road (MHLR) as per EIA agreement and cabinet approval. The team has also discussed about the trees replanting programme and site selection for the Nursery establishment ahead of the coming monsoon. As per the agreement on Mugu side, 972 trees are to be cut down and plantation to be done at a ratio of 25 new trees for every 1 tree felled within MHLR road corridor in Mugu section.

One day orientation to MHLR field base staff at Gamgadhi, Mugu
by: RAP 3      on: 13th Feb, 2019

In line with supporting to Mugu field base staff of Mugu Humla Link Road (MHLR), a one-day orientation programme was conducted on 31st Jan 2019. The orientation session started with the overview and introduction of MHLR, project modality, project implementation plan, major work plan activities to be performed by field base staffs, store management, health safety information and other technical and social aspect of programme. The orientation was conducted in Gamgadhi, Mugu and was led by Mr. Bishnu Ram Bista (Technical Coordinator) and supported by Mr. Ram Prasad Thapaliya and other TMO specialists. Now, our MHLR field base staff are ready to perform their assigned duties to the project.

Facebook comment
by: RAP 3      on: 8th Feb, 2019

Mr. Dhana Bahadur Tamang has commented on RAP3 facebook regarding JRDR handover.

Dhana Bahadur Tamang " Good to hear this news of RAP 3, however I am concerned about government's recent decision of dismantling the DTOs, they should have been shifted to the provincial government if not the Locals. Have they discussed with you .. ?"

 Our reply:

Dear Mr Tamang,

Thank you for your note about the recent handing over of JRDR in Kalikot by RAP3 and expressing concern about the dismantling of DTO offices in the district. For your information DTOs have been replaced by Provincial Infrastructure Development Offices (IDOs) under Provincial Ministries of Physical Infrastructure Development (MoPID). RAP3 Technical Assistance staff that used to support the DTO offices are now supporting the new IDO offices in building capacity at the Provincial level as well as providing support through a new RAP3 Technical Help Desk to Municipalities to manage road maintenance groups and road network mapping for Provincial Transport Master Plans and, later this year, Municipal Transport Master Plans. The new IDO office that is responsible for Kalikot is based in Jumla and also looks after Mugu.

I hope this reply addresses some of your concerns.

Yours sincerely,

 Michael Green

RAP3 Programme Manager

Bikash Ko Bato
by: RAP 3      on: 8th Feb, 2019

Episode: 26                                        Broadcast: 10, 11 and 12 February 2019

 Issue: Discussion of first phase of public hearings in Bajura, Humla and Achham.

 In this episode of Bikash ko Bato, the first phase of Public Hearings in Bajura, Humla and Achham is broadcasted. These public hearings were conducted last December and involved local citizens, local representatives and other stakeholders. The program starts with a public hearing in Bajura held in Badimalika Municipality with the involvement of the Vice-Mayor of Badimalika Municipality, Vice-Mayor of District coordination committee, senior government officers, Chairpersons of all wards, Executive Members of the Municipality, Members of District Coordination Committee and the local citizens. Likewise, in the radio discussion in Adanchuli Rural Municipality, Humla , issues related to electricity, health services and women targeted programs, skills trainings and good governance. were highlighted. In the public hearing organized in Ramaroshan Rural Municipality, Achham, local representatives committed to tackle problems relating to road construction, education, tourism, electricity and bridge construction.

Handing over of Jarkot-Ramnakot District Road, Kalikot
by: RAP 3      on: 7th Feb, 2019

A formal handover of Jarkot-Ramnakot District Road (JRDR - 5.93 km), constructed by Rural Access Programme(RAP3), took place on 5th February 2019 at Pachaljharana Rural Municipality. Mr. Bedraj Regmi, representative of DoLI handed over the road to Mr. Khadka Raj Sejuwal, Chairperson of Pachaljharana Rural Municipality by granting a formal memorandum along with the project documents in presence of Mr. Jeevan Buda, a member of the National Assembly.  Mr. Jeevan Buda cut the ribbon at the zero point of JRDR and travelled along the road. The representatives of political parties gave speeches and thanked Nepal and UK governments for this great achievement. They all appreciated the working modality and transparency maintained by RAP3. Similarly, Mr. Bedraj Regmi from DoLI, Mr. Gopi Chandra Upreti from RAP3 TMO, Mr. Ramesh Neupane from DTA Kalikot and Mr. Dipraj Bam from LRUC gave speeches. The programme was chaired by Mr. Khadka Raj Sejuwal and was facilitated by Mr. Chakka Bahadur Shahi, Chief Administrative Officer of Pachaljharana Rural Municipality. The Chairperson formally closed the handover programme by giving his speech and granting a “Letter of Appreciation ’’ to DFIDN, RAP3 and RAP3 DTA Staff Kalikot. He stated that this road has become a milestone of development for the Rural Municipality and promised to maintain the road efficiently using the fund of Rural Municipality and explore the resources for further upgrading of the road.

Final Public Audit of GSKDR, Humla
by: RAP 3      on: 7th Feb, 2019

RAP3 DTA Shreenagar, Humla successfully completed the final joint Public Audit on 2nd February 2019 of the works carried on Galphagad-Shreenagar-Kalika District Road Corridor of Shreenagar and Shreenagar-Kalika LRUC. The audit was carried out for payments to both LRUCs from 7th running bill of 5th year and final bill of 6th year. The public audit was chaired by Mr. Mohan Fadera (Shreenagar-Kalika LRUC’s chairperson), chief guest Mr. Dansingh Pareyar (DCC member of Humla), special guests Mr. Datta Bista (Acting chairperson of Adanchuli RM) and Mr. Dil Bahadur Fadera (LRCC Chairperson), guest Mr. Ragye Thapa and Dala Budha (ward chairpersons from Wards 1 and 2), Mr. Til Pd Pandey (Acting Chief of Administrative Officer of Adanchuli RM), group facilitators, group members, school teachers, journalists and RAPs DTL, SDO, and IoW. The main objective of the audit was to ensure all payments had followed RAP3 guidelines and that transparency was maintained among group members. Queries raised by the attendees were answered by the DTL, Mr. Bishnu Prasad Kharel and the programme was effectively facilitated by SDO, Mr. Mahesh Prasad Bhattarai.

Handover of tools, safety gear and first aid item in Humla
by: RAP 3      on: 4th Feb, 2019

With the successful handover of GSK DR road to Adanchuli RM, RAP3 Humla also handed over construction tools, materials, first aid item and safety gear to Adanchuli RM, two LRUCs of GSK DR, Police posts and local schools. The DTA conducted meetings with recipients from 27th to 31st January 2019. All items have been distributed to Adanchuli Rural Municipality, 984 members of 59 road construction groups, 1-health post, 2 police posts, 9 schools, and 1-Radio Shreenagar FM station. All store rooms in Shreenagar have now been closed as of 31st January, 2019.