RAP3-Maintained Roads: 100% Open during May 2019
by: RAP 3 on: 17th Jun, 2019
RAP3 has been collecting a comprehensive record of the performance of its maintained network of DRCN since Feb 2016 and which forms an important indicator of the result of RMG's road maintenance work.
Data is gathered on a daily basis regarding the first point of blockage and the reason. This is then compiled into a monthly report comparing for individual roads, Districts and the entire RAP3 network, a comparison of the actual kilometre.days open versus the theoretical maximum assuming no blockages.
For the first time since records began, RAP3 is delighted to share that in May 2019 not a single road closure day was recorded over the entire New Construction and Maintenance Core District networks and thus for the whole of the month the network was 100% open.
Bikash Ko Bato
by: dyadav on: 14th Jun, 2019
Program: Bikash ko Bato
Episode: 44 Broadcast: 16, 17 and 18 June 2019
Issue: Second phase of public hearing in Kalikot, Dailekh, Mugu and Doti.
Along with weekly broadcasts of its radio programme, Bikash ko Bato also organizes public hearings in collaboration with local community radios. Public hearings, also called radio discussions, are conducted in two phases. The first phase focuses on the development plans of local government and its commitment to complete those plans on time, whereas the second phase focuses on the follow up of these commitments. The program starts with a public hearing in Kalikot held with Raskot Municipality’s Vice-Mayor, Chief Executive Officer, Municipality Spokesperson, Social Development Committee Coordinator and the Chairpersons of several wards and locals citizens about issues like improvement in quality of road infrastructure, possibilities of hydropower and drinking water projects and also reports on similar public hearings in Dailekh, Mugu and Doti.
RMG Reps attend GON Workshop in Surkhet
by: RAP 3 on: 13th Jun, 2019
Six RMGs from Dailekh, Dadeldhura and Doti were also present at the workshop and addressed concerns from the participants regarding work / payment satisfaction, gender equality within their groups, their appointment procedure, their gains from the project and opportunities for improvement. Participants expressed their appreciation for RMGs, cost effective maintenance, and the employment opportunity created for locals. A representative from Dailekh shared that the success of the programme’s model had influenced them to implement the same in their areas, with plans and funds in place to further expand.
Local GON Workshop held in Surkhet
by: dyadav on: 13th Jun, 2019
On 5th June, a one-day engagement workshop was held in
Surkhet for the Mayors/Chairpersons and Deputy Mayors/Deputy Chairperson of Municipalities and Rural Municipalities in Dailekh and Surkhet with the objective of increasing coordination with local governments. The workshop organized by MoFALD and DFID and supported by RAP3, saw active participation from 18 local government representatives, who discussed about infrastructure development, gender parity and technical opportunities and challenges. DoLI's SDE Krishna Bahadur Katuwal gave a presentation on GON local infrastructure development policy and provincial and municipal transport plans while RAP3 Engineers Ayasta Pokharel and Damodar Khanal presented on RAP3 activities, their achievements and strategies to pilot maintenance in the Karnali Province next year through MHLR. The workshop ended with closing remarks by DFID’s Dr Suman Baidya.
ACE Emerging Professional of the Year Winner
by: RAP 3 on: 11th Jun, 2019
Every year, the Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) celebrates the best the industry has to offer. This year, leading professionals from the consultancy and engineering industry gathered at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London on Thursday 6 June 2019 for the announcement of the winners of this year’s Awards edition across 11 categories. IMC’s Philippa Jefferis won the emerging Professional of the Year Award. She is based in Kathmandu working on the Mugu Humla Link Road project, part of the UK Aid sponsored Rural Access Programme in Nepal which started in 1999 and has been managed by IMC Worldwide since then. Big congratulations all round from the RAPPERS and the Whats New team.
NCCSP 1TE / RAP3 Collaboration Draws to a Close
by: RAP 3 on: 11th Jun, 2019
RAP3 partnered with the Nepal Climate Change Support Programme (Phase 1- Transition Extension) to provide technical advice and support to Programme and Palika staff in mutually overlapping geographical and technical areas of expertise. The collaboration lasted from September 2018 through to June 2019 and provided assistance in the design of interventions and training for enhanced delivery. The results were tangible improvements in sufficiency of design, worker safety and supervision techniques.
Orientation programme to chainsaw operators
by: RAP 3 on: 10th Jun, 2019
RAP3 MHLR project field team organised an orientation programme to 4 groups (21 members) of chainsaw operators on 20th May 2019 at Chankheli Pass, Mugu. Several videos were shown to provide them general tips when using a chainsaw for felling large trees. Chainsaws can potentially be very dangerous machines that can cause fatal or major injuries if not used correctly. Therefore, the project wants our operators to be competent in using a chainsaw for the work they are to carry out. The videos briefed them about the appropriate techniques and safety guidelines when using a chainsaw as well as introducing different parts of chain saw, repair and maintenance techniques, and the methods to clean and sharpen the device. They are required to check all required supplies, equipment and safety gear daily before starting work.
Leg sleeve aprons distributed to RAP3 MHLR workers
by: RAP 3 on: 10th Jun, 2019
RAP3 MHLR has recently distributed 4 sets of leg sleeve aprons to each Road Building Group of Rugha, Luma, Bama, and Panidhara (Darke) in order to improve workplace safety for our RBGs. These safety items help to minimise common causes of injuries when cutting stone. Splinters from breaking rock pieces can sometimes hit the body from the impact of a hammer and chisel resulting in injury. Our RBGs have tested wearing leg sleeve aprons to cut stone in the field and shared that such safety gear helps to protect the body from fly-stone and scratches. According to MHLR rules, RBGs working in the site must use all the activity specific safety equipment provided by the project.
RAP3 MHLR constructed a new building in Bama, Mugu
by: RAP 3 on: 10th Jun, 2019
RAP3 MHLR has recently completed the construction of a new building that is going to be operated as the main field office in Bama, Mugu. The administrative work and the site activities that mainly cover Luma, Bama and Darke sections will be managed from this office. The building consists of six rooms; the two rooms will be used for office usage, 3 rooms for staff residential usage, and 1 room is separated for guests. Moreover, the rooftop is also usable for holding meetings and presentations that can accommodate 30 people. This building is installed with solar power backup and NTSAT setup for communication. The structural design of the building, prepared by the Centre of Resilient Development (CoRD), uses stone with mud mortar held together by a wooden frame in accordance with the National Building Code (NBC). After the completion of the RAP3 MHLR project, this earthquake-resistant building will be handed over to the local government.
Delivery of Gabion boxes and GI Wires
by: RAP 3 on: 10th Jun, 2019
The Rural Access Programme - Phase 3, which is due to close at the end of June 2019, is using its remaining budgets to support plans to provide Technical Assistance to Provincial and Local Governments in Karnali Province to manage Road Maintenance Groups responsible for routine and recurrent maintenance next financial year. This support will be provided through a new maintenance component to be set up as part of the RAP3 Mugu Humla Link Road contract with IMC. RAP3 has therefore signed a contract agreement with Gabionet Environment Solution, Pvt. Ltd for the supply of heavy coated machine made, Gabion boxes and GI Wires for the maintenance of Roads in Karnali Province and its local governments. The RAP 3 Regional Office in Nepalgunj is receiving the Gabion boxes and GI Wires and storing them on adjoining land before delivering them to MHLR at the beginning of next financial year.
